'I've let my Liverpool team-mates, manager and supporters down' - Gerrard apologises for shock red card

Posted Monday, March 23, 2015 by Talksport.co.uk

Steven Gerrard has apologised for his dramatic red card during Liverpool's heated 2-1 defeat to rivals Manchester United, saying he had let his "team-mates, manager and supporters down".

The Reds captain surprisingly began the game on the bench but was called into action at half-time to inject some steel into his side's struggling midfield.

However, the former England international lasted just 43 seconds before being sent back down the tunnel for a stamp on Ander Herrera.

It was a disappointing swansong in what was his last meeting with the club's fiercest rivals before he heads to Major League Soccer in the summer, and Gerrard fronted up to media following the final whistle.

"I need to accept it, the decision was right, I have let my team-mates and manager down today, even more importantly I let all the supporters down and I take full responsibility for my action," the skipper told Sky Sports.

"I tried to jump his [Herrera's] tackle, I saw his studs and I reacted wrong."

"I've been in the game long enough to know when you do something like that, especially at the timing of the game, at half-time with 45 to play, a great opportunity to get back in the game, I take full responsibility for it."

Asked what caused his anger to boil over, Gerrard added: "I don't know. Probably, just the reaction to the initial tackle.

"I don't think I should say too much more on it, I came to speak to apologise to everyone in the dressing room, all the supporters, all the players because I take full responsibility for today's result."