Beating Liverpool one of my most important wins, says Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal heralded his team’s 2-1 victory over Champions League qualification rivals Liverpool at Anfield as “one of the most important in my career”.

Juan Mata scored twice in Sunday’s Premier League game, either side of a red card for home captain Steven Gerrard, and despite Daniel Sturridge hitting back, Liverpool fell to a first loss in 14 league matches.

Victory strengthened United’s grip on the fourth and final Champions League qualifying berth, with Liverpool now five points behind and Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur a point further back, leaving Van Gaal to reflect on a potentially decisive afternoon.

“It is the moment we are coming back and we beat Liverpool again,” said the Dutchman, whose side had condemned Liverpool to their last defeat with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford in mid-December.

“We beat them again with their own weapons and the pressure on the ball.

“Now the gap is five points ahead of Liverpool and six ahead of Tottenham and Southampton, so the moment to win is one of the most important in my career.”

Mata’s superb performance in United’s 3-0 defeat of Tottenham meant he held on to his place despite Angel di Maria’s return from suspension and he rewarded Van Gaal’s faith with a fine display.

His 14th-minute opener saw him run on to a pass from Ander Herrera and beat Simon Mignolet with his right foot, while his second goal on the hour was sublime – an acrobatic scissors kick from Di Maria’s clipped pass.