Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and manager Brendan Rodgers have called for the players to use the defeat against Manchester United as motivation for a renewed top-four push . The 2-1 loss at Anfield was their first in the league since losing at Old Trafford in mid-December and left them five points adrift of their arch-rivals , who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot . But just as the squad reacted to losing to United just before Christmas the expectation now is for them to bounce back and maintain the challenge . Juan Mata pulls off his incredible scissor-kick against Liverpool as Manchester United won 2-1 at Anfield . Mata and his United team-mates celebrate doubling their lead en route to their 2-1 win in the Premier League . Mata celebrates his incredible goal that the Spanish midfielder admits was one of the best he 'd ever scored . 'There 's still a lot to play for and when we come back from international duty , we 've got that big game against Arsenal ( in third ) , ' Mignolet told liverpoolfc.com . 'The game away to Manchester United at Old Trafford we used as a catalyst to put in a lot of good performances - so let 's use this game as a catalyst again when we come back . 'With all the games still to play until the end of the season we can still do really well . 'We 'll build on the game and hopefully we can come back and get a run going again like we did after that Old Trafford game . ' Rio hit by a coin , Rooney swearing live on TV ... what else makes our 50 shocking moments in Premier League history ? CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR LIST . Rodgers has urged the squad to use the international break to put the defeat behind them and return ready for a difficult trip to the Emirates Stadium . 'The message to the players was that last performance at Old Trafford was a great springboard for us , ' he said . 'We went on and , up until this point ( against United ) , we had n't lost a league game . 'So now we must use this similarly ; refocus , get over the disappointment and then come back into a tough game next against Arsenal and really look to get the points there . ' The Reds boss remains confident the defeat , which saw captain Steven Gerrard sent off less than a minute after coming on at half-time , will not derail their bid for the top four . 'It makes it difficult ( for the top four ) . We had a 10-game objective that we set and built into that was that we were not going to win every single game , ' added Rodgers . 'It 's still very much ( possible ) for us to go where we want to go , which is the top four . 'We just need to fight that bit harder and make up a five-point difference . ' Mignolet enhanced his improving reputation further with an added-time penalty save against Wayne Rooney but admitted it gave him little pleasure in the wider context . Steven Gerrard is shown a red card early in the second half for a foul on Manchester United 's Mata . Gerrard ca n't believe it after being sent off for a reckless stamp on United 's Ander Herrera at Anfield . Here is the stamp from Gerrard on Herrera after both players had competed for the ball . 'The penalty save is n't important any more although Skrts ( Martin Skrtel ) had a chance after that , ' he added . 'When you play at home , you always want to win , but unfortunately it did n't happen . 'They scored in the first half and against a team like Manchester United , it 's always difficult after that . 'In the second half , we tried to come back with a new plan to try to make sure we got a result out of the game . A stunned Gerrard walks off the Anfield pitch having been shown a straight red card for a stamp on Herrera . Manchester United 's Wayne Rooney has a penalty saved by Liverpool 's Simon Mignolet . 'With 10 men we fought hard to get something out of the game and we got the goal through Daniel ( Sturridge ) but unfortunately we did n't then get the chance to get an equaliser . ' Mignolet also praised Gerrard on his post-match apology for his moment of madness . 'That 's what he is about , ' said the Belgium international . 'He spoke to the team after the game inside the dressing room and what was said exactly shall stay in there , but it shows who and what he is off the pitch . '
Spanish were beaten by rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday . Simon Mignolet and Brendan Rodgers want Spanish to react to defeat . Steven Gerrard was sent off after just 38 seconds for a second-half stamp . Mignolet and Rodgers want the squad to use defeat as extra motivation . CLICK HERE for all the latest Spanish news .