LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been sent off for picking up a crazy red card seconds after coming on as a substitute against Manchester United at Anfield.
Watch the video of Gerrard Stamp on Herrera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOn5T49HrUM
The veteran midfielder, who replaced Adam Lallana at halftime, seemed super pumped up for this second half battle and it looks like that has contributed to his early bath.
Gerrard first smashed into Juan Mata with a pretty hard tackle, which was deemed fair by the referee inside the opening 15 seconds after the interval.
However, he didn’t like the return challenge moments later on him by Manchester United‘s midfielder Ander Herrera, and the former England captain reacts by stamping on the shin of the Spanish player, which resulted in a correct red card decision.
Gerrard, who will leave Liverpool to join MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, spent a disappointing 38 seconds on the pitch and he faced the television to apologise for letting down his team-mate, manager and indeed the Reds supporters.
“I need to accept it, the decision was right. I’ve let down my team-mates and the supporters. I take full responsibility,” Gerrard told Sky Sports during an interview after the game.
“I’ve been in the game long enough when you do something like that. I take full responsibility.
“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.”
There are reports in England that Gerrard isn’t happy about being left on the bench so many times by manager Brendan Rodgers, but the club legend isn’t going to say much about any of that.
Mata, getting another start in midfield for Angel Di Maria, scored twice to give Manchester United a 2-0 lead in the English Premier League top four battle for Champions League football.
Daniel Sturridge pulled one back for Liverpool in the second half, but it was not enough to save the hosts from defeat.
Manchester United currently sit third in the EPL table standings on 59 points, one behind Arsenal and two behind defending champions Manchester City. Leaders Chelsea play later on Sunday.
Liverpool are fifth, but are now five points behind Manchester United after the latest defeat.
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