LVG Happy After Anfield Victory

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”.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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“We beat them again with their own weapons and the pressure on the ball.
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“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.”
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Mata’s superb performance in United’s 3-0 defeat of Tottenham meant that 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.
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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.
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Mata has struggled to hold down a first-team place this season, but Van Gaal offered a glowing assessment of his current form.
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“Now he is playing as a false right-winger and the combination with Herrera and (Antonio) Valencia gives him more opportunities, so I am very pleased,” Van Gaal said.
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“I think he was one of my most constantly playing players, also in the beginning of the season, so I am not amazed, but I am very happy with him.”