Juan Mata's 14th-minute strike has given Manchester United a 1-0 half-time lead against fierce rivals Liverpool in this afternoon's Premier League clash at Anfield.
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The visitors were quickest out of the starting blocks, getting onto the front foot and dominating possession in the early stages.
Brendan Rodgers's charges had a good chance five minutes in when Raheem Sterling skipped past Daley Blind and Phil Jones in the area, but David de Gea was quick off his line to get to the ball first.
United recovered from that scare to impose themselves once again and took the lead in the 14th minute when an incisive through ball from Ander Herrera sliced through the Liverpool defence and found Mata, who slid a low finish in off the far post.
Liverpool set about trying to restore parity and came close three minutes later, with Jordan Henderson lifting a pass over the defence for Daniel Sturridge on the left side of the box, but the striker's volley flew high and wide of the near post.
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De Gea continued to be alert as he snuffed out a dangerous chance just before the half-hour mark, rushing out to stop Sterling from releasing Sturridge with a ball from deep.
United were then nearly caught out in the 35th minute when Henderson's cross-field ball was cushioned by Sturridge into the path of Adam Lallana, but the ex-Southampton man wasted the opportunity by lashing past the post.
The chance served to galvanise both the hosts and the Anfield crowd, but the Red Devils were able to see out the remainder of the half and take their slender lead into the break.
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