Leicester City’s Ghanaian striker Jeff Schlupp (R) vies with Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva (L) during the English Premier League football match at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England. (AFP/ADRIAN DENNIS) LONDON: Steven Gerrard and Juan Mata scored pivotal goals as Liverpool and Manchester United each posted victories over obdurate opposition in the Premier League on Tuesday (Dec 2).Liverpool captain Gerrard, the subject of speculation about his Anfield future this week, stroked home the crucial second goal as Liverpool came from behind to win 3-1 at 10-man Leicester City.Victory lifted Brendan Rodgers’ side up to eighth place, but they remain five points off the Champions League berths after Mata’s fortuitous strike earned fourth-place United a 2-1 success at home to Stoke City.The Spaniard saw a free-kick from wide on the right drift straight into the net in the 59th minute at Old Trafford, sending United to within a point of third-place Southampton, who visit Arsenal on Wednesday. Leaders Chelsea entertain Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, while second-place Manchester City travel to Sunderland.Explaining his decision to rest 34-year-old Gerrard for Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Stoke at the weekend, Liverpool manager Rodgers told BT Sport: “Steven Gerrard was rested last weekend with…