Steven Gerrard 's sending-off was so quick that the clock on the Anfield scoreboard was stuck on 00.00 when he was given his marching orders at the start of the second half . The official time referee Martin Atkinson produced the red card was after just 38 seconds . The sending off was so quick that Gerrard became the subject of jokes and virals on social media , including a mock heat map of his brief time on the pitch . Steven Gerrard 's red card was mocked on social media with a pitch map showing him going on and off . Gerrard was also mocked up on a film poster for the movie Gone in 60 Seconds . Steven Gerrard is shown a red card early in the second half for a foul on Juan Mata . Pele gets red carpet treatment . Very little unites these two bitter rivals but Brazil legend Pele got a standing ovation from both sets of fans when he appeared on the pitch at half-time , posing for photos with Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre and club ambassador Kenny Dalglish . The great man was on the pitch longer than Steven Gerrard ! Pele was cheered by the crowd as he went out onto the Anfield pitch ahead of kick off . Pele poses with Manchester United greats Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson . Louis van Gaal revealed that he offered his team the chance to revert to the three-man defence they have used on previous occasions in order to match Liverpool ’ s 3-4-3 formation . ‘ I said that we can play with three defenders or shall we continue with 4-3-3 ? ’ he said . It appears they chose the latter . Louis van Gaal says he offered his team the chance to revert to a three man defence . Fans rescue Super Mario . Mario Balotelli threatened to add to the heated atmosphere at Anfield after he was tackled into the advertising boards by Chris Smalling . But before he could square up to the defender , Balotelli was helpfully restrained by two Liverpool fans . Mario Balotelli was held back by fans as he tried to confront Chris Smalling . Wayne Rooney expressed his regret at not handing Juan Mata the chance of a hat-trick when United won a penalty . The striker said on Twitter : ‘ Very happy tonight . Fans were amazing . @ juanmata8 great goals . Should have let him take penalty. ’ Rooney ’ s miss saw his Anfield goal drought stretch to more than 10 years . The last time he found the net there was in January 2005 . Wayne Rooney saw his stoppage time penalty saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet .
Steven Gerrard was sent off after just 38 second in defeat by Man United . Brazil legend Pele gets the Anfield red carpet treatment . Liverpool fans stop Mario Balotelli from confronting Chris Smalling . Gerrard red cards : Dismissal against Manchester United was his EIGHTH . Martin Atkinson : Gerrard had a 'moment of madness ' from frustration . Graham Poll : Jamie Carragher was right to send off Liverpool captain . READ : The most shocking moments in Premier League history ( 50-41 )