Juan Mata hopes Manchester United can replicate win over Tottenham in key visit to Liverpool

Juan Mata hopes Manchester United can replicate their impressive performance against Tottenham Hotspur in their forthcoming visit to Liverpool in order to secure Champions League qualification.

Following their elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Arsenal, manager Louis van Gaal's side reacted with one of their finest displays of the campaign to beat Spurs 3-0 at Old Trafford on 15 March, with goals from Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and captain Wayne Rooney before half-time.

The victory let United consolidate their place in the top four, leaving them five points above Liverpool who play Swansea on 16 March, ahead of the crucial visit to Anfield on 22 March. Mata hopes the display helps United build momentum ahead of the crucial part of the campaign.

"I hope next Monday we feel as good as today after playing in Anfield, which is one of the most important games of the season for us," Mata wrote in his weekly blog.

"This happy Sunday gives us strength to start a new week. It was a very important victory in order to finish in the top four, since Tottenham is also in the same race. It was arguably our best first half of the season."

The Spaniard praised the way his team reacted to the defeat against Arsenal to kill the game with an impressive first-half.

He said: "In those 45 minutes we got three goals and we could have scored some more. The team played with a fast, intense and vertical style, also pressing on Spurs' half of the pitch. I was very happy for the fans after the disappointment in the FA Cup against Arsenal last Monday.

"The best way to recover was by playing a good game and winning for the fans, and that's what we gave to them - to you - against Tottenham, a very good team that we managed to neutralise."

The match was especially important for Mata after he returned to Van Gaal's starting line-up, to replace the suspended Angel Di Maria, from the first time since the FA Cup 3-0 victory over Cambridge United on 3 February.

"From a personal point of view I have to say that I felt really good on the pitch and I enjoyed again from the beginning with my teammates, trying to be helpful in all aspects of the game. I heard your applause and I want to thank you for that," he said.

"Ever since my first day as a United player I felt the love from Old Trafford and I want you to know that it helps a lot when you play. Your applause when I was substituted and on my way to the dressing room is something I will never forget. Thank you so much to all of you...

"Now we must focus on each of the remaining games, and they are not many, in order to achieve our goal which is to bring the Champions League back to Old Trafford. Some of our rivals are also fighting for the same but I hope this win against Tottenham will give us confidence to perform at our highest level."