Steven Gerrard has claimed responsibility for Liverpool’s 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United, following his groundless sending off at Anfield.
The Liverpool skipper, in his last Premier League appearance against United, could not extend his seven-goal haul in the good-old rivalry, owing to his marching order 38 seconds after coming on for Adam Lallana at half-time.
The 34-year-old, who is due to join LA Galaxy at the end of the season, was dismissed for a stamp on Ander Herrera. The ex-England international was quick to apologise to his team-mates, manager and supporters following the defeat.
“I need to accept it, the decision was right. I’ve let down my team-mates and the supporters,” Gerrard told Sky Sport.
“I take full responsibility. I’ve been in the game long enough when you do something like that. I take full responsibility.”
The Reds were trailing United courtesy of Juan Mata’s 14th-minute opener when Gerrard was dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson. The ex-Chelsea midfielder doubled his side’s lead soon after with a sublime scissors-kick.
Manager Brendan Rodgers had opted for the vibrant midfield partnership of Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson in his starting lineup, but introduced Gerrard for Lallana, who had coped with injury in the opening period, at the interval.
The ex-England skipper put in a robust challenge on Mata, and Herrera responded with a firm tackle on Gerrard, for which the Spaniard received a yellow card.
TV replay showed Gerrard reacted by stamping on Herrera as he lay on the ground, hence, he was awarded the sixth red card of his Premier League career.
“I don’t know what caused it. I don’t know. Probably just a reaction to the initial tackle. I shouldn’t say more about it really, I’ve just come out here to apologise to the dressing room and supporters.”
Gerrard, fresh from an injury layoff, is now set to miss FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn, and two Premier League matches at Arsenal and at home to Newcastle.
