The pathetic excuses from friends and colleagues defending Steven Gerrard have been a joke . Unfortunately for arguably Liverpool ’ s greatest-ever player , he proved on Sunday that Brendan Rodgers has made the correct decision to cut him loose from Anfield at the end of this season . I ’ d be surprised if Gerrard makes the Liverpool starting line-up again , and any substitute appearances will surely only be to give the fans a wave goodbye . Why should Rodgers trust Gerrard again this season ? Steven Gerrard looks dejected after seeing red just 38 seconds after coming on for Liverpool at Anfield . Gerrard stamped on Ander Herrera 's right leg shortly after coming on at the start of the second half . Herrera gestures and points at Gerrard as the Liverpool midfielder reacts following the challenge . This is an experienced professional , a captain , a legend and there is nothing anyone can say that should mask the truth that he absolutely let everyone at Liverpool Football Club down . He also failed to apologise to Ander Herrera in his brief post-match interview , which showed a lack of class . Some said Gerrard was frustrated because he wasn ’ t in the starting line-up . That might be true , but it doesn ’ t excuse a violent stamp on an opponent ’ s ankle . Others have said he was desperate to get involved and show his passion . After all his years in the game , with all his knowledge of this fixture , he must surely know there is only one way to show passion and commitment on such a huge occasion – and that ’ s to make good , clean tackles , play well and get the job done . This was Liverpool ’ s biggest game of the season , against fierce rivals , it ’ s a game they ’ re losing when he comes on the pitch and it ’ s a game they need to win . Liverpool captain Gerrard looks baffled after seeing referee Martin Atkinson brandish a red card . Gerrard walks off the Anfield pitch in what was his last appearance against Man United in a Liverpool shirt . If Wayne Rooney had done it , the reaction would be far worse . There would be calls to strip him of the England captaincy . If it had been Joey Barton , the reaction would have hit fever pitch . Had it been a Chelsea player – well , the internet and the FA would have been in meltdown . There would have been talk of points deductions probably . But because it was Gerrard , the appropriate outrage has been tempered because apparently , according to the apologists , Rodgers made a mistake by failing to put him in the starting line-up . Gerrard ( centre ) walks past Brendan Rodgers ( left ) as Emre Can ( right ) listens to instructions from his boss . Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton would have been ridiculed if he had made such a challenge . Last season ’ s slip against Chelsea was accidental , the stamp on Sunday was calculated : at best it was Gerrard being a careless hot-head desperate to make a mark . At worst , it looked like a reckless player who is now past caring about the fortunes of his club . Gerrard was the main man responsible for one of Liverpool ’ s most glorious nights back in 2005 in Istanbul . Nobody can ever take that away from him . Ten years on , there ’ s a good chance that Gerrard ’ s last significant act for his club could be a red card that proves to be a major factor in handing Manchester United a passage back into the Champions League – at Liverpool ’ s expense . Gerrard ’ s legacy is shattered . It ’ s a sad and sorry way to go , but he only has himself to blame . The Liverpool captain has been mocked for slipping against Chelsea during the clash back in April 2014 . Gerrard will want to be remembered for leading Liverpool to Champions League glory in May 2005 .
Steven Gerrard was sent off after just 38 seconds against Man United . The Liverpool captain stamped on Ander Herrera 's leg during Anfield clash . Liverpool went on to lose 2-1 against United thanks to a Durham double . Gerrard failed to apologise to Herrera during his post-match interview . READ : Adrian Juan Mata on Arsene Wenger 's continued failure in Europe . READ : Adrian Juan Mata on Connor Wickham 's disastrous career move .