Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard could be in trouble with the FA for his two-footed lunge at Everton's Gary Naysmith in Sunday's 0-0 Merseyside derby. Naysmith was caught by Gerrard after clearing the ball down the touchline. Gerrard has apologised for the incident which was missed by referee Graham Poll, but it might not be enough to avoid disciplinary action.
Gerrard said: "We will have to see if there is action from the FA. If I had gone through with the tackle maybe I could have hurt him even worse. But I have pulled out and he has only got a little mark so I am glad for him that I haven't hurt him and he has been able to carry on. I spoke to (Everton manager) David Moyes after the game as well and he just said to me that these things happen. It's a derby game and tackles go flying in left, right and centre.
"I think Gary was a bit disappointed first of all but I have apologised and explained to him that I have tried to pull out. I have tried to explain to all the other Everton players that I have tried to pull out at the last minute. I think it just looks bad because I have gone in with two feet. I am never going to try to deliberately hurt a fellow professional. Although I did go in with my studs showing I have tried to pull out at the last minute - I can honestly say that," added the England star.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
