KOP KNEW GERRARD HAD DONE WRONGA slip and a stamp? Steven Gerrard's Liverpool legacy can't be this, surely? The reaction of the Anfield crowd told it all. Yes, there were some initial jeers for Ander Herrera as he was helped to the touchline for treatment. But as fans checked the replay on their phones, it was obvious - as it was clear from several areas of the ground - the captain had clearly stamped on the Spaniard. For the rest of the game, whenever Herrera was in possession, there were no boos or jeers. Fans knew Herrera's role in this earth-shattering action was completely innocent. They'd just witnessed history, a moment which we'll be talking about for years. And it was all the captain's doing.

HAS VAN GAAL FOUND HIS ZIZOU?Has Louis van Gaal found his best position for Juan Mata? Two goals and a bottle of champagne as man of the match certainly suggests so. But Mata's future on the right-side of midfield will depend on where the Manchester United manager rates the Spaniard in his pecking order. It's a reverse of ten years ago, when in Germany they were calling the role the 'Zidane position', with the theory being you placed your best, most creative player on the left flank of your midfield as it was the least busy area of the pitch. United teammates believe Mata's best position is centrally, as a genuine No10, but sitting on the right, the midfielder can still duck inside and use his left-foot to clip those clever passes of his over the top. And as he proved at Anfield, taking advantage of a sluggish Alberto Moreno, he can also take advantage of the greater space to add an extra threat to United's attack. Mata's brace both came from working his designated area of the pitch. The second was the stuff of legend - Mark Hughes would be proud.

BLIND SCOOP WAS RIDICULOUSLiverpool's start to the game was baffling. They handed momentum to United right from kickoff. There was no gang tackling, no high pressing and the pace of the passing all came from the visitors. Even Juan Mata's opener failed to jar Liverpool into action. On 16 minutes, Daley Blind had enough time, in Liverpool's half, to scoop the ball over one Reds player to Chris Smalling. It was ridiculous. The sort of pass you'd see in futsal or beach soccer - not the high octane, all-or-nothing clash that Liverpool against Manchester United SHOULD generate. Liverpool's best tackle didn't come until after halftime - a bone-jarring challenge by Steven Gerrard on Mata. It was a beauty, but then came Ander Herrera...

FELLAINI MASTERCLASSFor the first-half, Marouane Fellaini produced a midfield masterclass. He was head-and-shoulders the best player on the Anfield pitch, both literally and figuratively. Liverpool couldn't get close to him in the air and it was a bright, instinctive run off Jordan Henderson to collect Daley Blind's pass which eventually led to Juan Mata's opening goal. He won tackles, linked play between defence and attack, and never lost significant possession in that first 45. When you see such a complete performance, it's difficult to understand the Belgian's critics. He really looked the total package yesterday, at Anfield and against United's greatest rivals. After 18 months at United, we're now seeing the reasons why Fellaini's fans are so convinced he deserves the United stage.

STURRIDGE GOAL WAS LIVERPOOL AT THEIR BESTAt Anfield, Liverpool are at their best without the ball. The high pressing. The gang tackling. Flying into challenges. It gets the home crowd up off their seats, the players feed off the Kop's energy and the place becomes an absolute cauldron. And that's what led to Liverpool's goal. Mario Balotelli was assisted in dispossessing Michael Carrick, in United's half, and Philippe Coutinho found Daniel Sturridge who shocked David de Gea with his near post drive. It was Liverpool at their best. With Jordan Henderson finally finding his legs in midfield - and with the crowd behind them - Liverpool rattled United, despite being a man down. The question for Brendan Rodgers is why they were so flat for that opening half-hour?

DI MARIA COULD'VE BEEN LIABILITYAngel di Maria was involved in Manchester United's two best moments of the second-half. On for an injured Ashley Young, Di Maria created Juan Mata's stunning second goal on the hour before playing in Daley Blind, who earned United a penalty after a clumsy challenge from Emre Can. On paper, it appears a good performance. But the Argentine was a liability at times, losing possession in dangerous areas either by being caught on the ball or with loose passing. Though visibly short of confidence and touch, encouraging for United is that Di Maria kept showing to the final minute. He never hid and kept himself available to his teammates. It was a committed performance, though one which could have hurt United in a tighter contest.

DON'T BLAME CONTRACT FOR STERLING PERFORMANCEIt wasn't a good day for Raheem Sterling. Efficient, but not spectacular. Questions will be raised if his contract talks influenced his performance. But that would be wide of the mark. The idea was right from Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, playing Sterling on the right-side to attack Daley Blind on the left of United's back four. But the Dutchman was up to the job and actually had Sterling chasing him more inside the Reds half than what he and Rodgers had planned. Then, with Steven Gerrard's dismissal, he was forced to left-back in a system reshuffle. It wasn't Sterling's day, but it had nothing to do with contract negotiations.

BRILLIANT REDS KEPT MARIO ON PITCHYou have to love the Reds fans who held back Mario Balotelli after a tumble with Manchester United defender Chris Smalling. The pair came together near the halfway line as they both chased a lost cause. They clattered into the advertising boards, before Smalling rose first ahead of Balotelli. The Italian, already on a yellow card for a kick at Phil Jones, looked like he was ready to square up to judo expert Smalling only to be held back by fans in the front row! A couple of reassuring pats on the shoulder and a few 'calm down, Mario, calm down, lad' words had the right effect.

SKRTEL HAS TO GOMartin Skrtel will have to go after his stamp on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea. It was the last moment of the game and it's difficult to see how the Liverpool defender will escape video action. If Diego Costa, the Chelsea striker, can be punished for his stomp on Emre Can, you can't see the same panel giving an opposite ruling in Skrtel's case. You can bet Jose Mourinho will be monitoring this one closely.