PLAYING with 10 men proved to be no problem for Liverpool in the English Premier League on Sunday.

    The same cannot be said of Manchester United.

    Liverpool responded to James Milner’s sending-off in the 62nd minute against Crystal Palace by coming from 1-0 down to win 2-1 as Christian Benteke’s penalty clinched victory in the sixth minute of injury time.

    However, United was made to pay for a 26th-minute red card to Juan Mata — also for two bookings — at West Bromwich Albion, which won 1-0 thanks to Salomon Rondon’s goal at The Hawthorns.

    United dropped three points behind fourth-place Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification and is now only three ahead of Liverpool, which has won three straight league games for the first time in a year. City has a game in hand over United too.

    “It’s a big blow,” United manager Louis van Gaal said. “This kind of match you need to win.”

    Van Gaal said Mata’s sending-off for two yellow cards in three minutes was to blame for United’s first-ever Premier League loss at West Brom.

    “We have played 60 minutes with 10 versus 11, and this is the fifth match in 14 days,” the Dutchman said. “It’s very difficult to play against 11 players (in this situation). I think it’s the reason why we lost.”

    Mata collected his first booking for blocking a quickly taken free kick, a decision Van Gaal described as “stupid.”

    Initially, United coped well with going a man down but barely threatened West Brom’s goal, and Rondon won a tight game by controlling a left-wing cross and shooting home on the turn in the 66th.

    West Brom moved to 39 points, which should secure its Premier League status for another season.

    (SD-Agencies)