Steven Gerrard’s last game for Liverpool against Manchester United was unforgettable because of his absence from the contest.
Gerrard was sent off Sunday less than one minute after coming on as a halftime substitute in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield. Referee Martin Atkinson dismissed Gerrard for this stamp on Ander Herrera, ending the Liverpool captain’s game after just 38 seconds, according to the BBC.
Gerrard now faces a three-game ban, which will rule him out of the FA Cup quarterfinal replay against Blackburn and Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League games against Arsenal and Newcastle.
Gerrard apologized to his teammates and fans after the game.
“I just need to accept it,” Gerrard told Sky Sports. “The decision was right. I’ve let my teammates and manager down today and even more importantly I’ve let all the supporters down so I take full responsibility for my actions.
“I tried to jump his tackle and I’ve seen his studs and I’ve reacted wrong.
“I’ve been in the game long enough (to know what happens) when you do something like that and especially at the time of the game — after half-time with 45 to play — with a great opportunity to get back into the game, I take full responsibility for today’s result.”
The red card was the fourth of Gerrard’s career and second against Manchester United.
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Gerrard will leave Liverpool after the season and join the Los Angeles Galaxy as a free agent in July. While there’s a chance Gerrard could return to Liverpool on loan and face Manchester United again, it’s far more likely that his last game against the Red Devils spectacularly descended into the realm of infamy.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@Telefootball
