Steven Gerrard sent off as Liverpool fall to Juan Mata's double for Manchester United
Liverpool captain lasts less than a minute after stamping on Ander Herrera, having come on as a substitute
Steven Gerrard's last game against Manchester United ended with an ignominious red card as Juan Mata's superb double condemned Liverpool to a 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
In his final appearance against his club's eternal foes before leaving for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Liverpool captain Gerrard came on at half-time, only to be sent off after 48 seconds for a crude stamp on Ander Herrera, who had created Mata's 14th-minute opener.
Mata added a glorious, volleyed second goal and despite Daniel Sturridge's reply and Wayne Rooney seeing a late penalty saved, United held on to condemn Liverpool to a first league defeat since their 3-0 loss at Old Trafford in December's reverse fixture.
I need to accept it, the decision was right. I've let down my teammates and the supporters. I take full responsibility. I've been in the game long enough when you do something like that. I take full responsibility
Gerrard, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "I need to accept it, the decision was right. I've let down my teammates and the supporters. I take full responsibility. 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."
Liverpool's run of 13 games without defeat had given them an opportunity to knock United out of the Champions League places, but instead Louis van Gaal's side remain fourth, a healthy five points above their rivals with eight league games of the season remaining.
Gerrard's moment of madness proved the game's major talking point, but there was no disguising United's superiority as they confirmed their return to form sparked by last weekend's 3-0 victory over Spurs.