Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has apologised for his performance against Manchester United, in which he was sent off after just 38 seconds during the 2-1 defeat.
Introduced to the game at half-time, the former England skipper replaced Adam Lallana, with the midfielder reportedly sustaining an injury.
However, a violent stamp on midfielder Ander Herrera saw the 34-year-old dismissed in his final Liverpool-United clash, a historic tie for the club he will be departing in the summer to join Los Angeles Galaxy.
Referee Martin Atkinson immediately brandished the red card for Gerrard, who initially displayed his shock at the dismissal – potentially believing Herrera was to be sent off for his challenge.
His sixth red card for the Merseysiders, he later apologised for his behaviour and actions in the heated tie, settled by a Juan Mata brace.
"I just need to accept it," he said as the Red Devils climbed five points clear of Brendan Rodger’s side. "The decision was right. I've let my team-mates 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."
Rodgers also revealed that the skipper apologised to his team-mates in the changing rooms after the match, in which Daniel Sturridge’s late strike became little more than a consolation, even with Wayne Rooney seeing an injury time penalty saved.
"Steven apologised to the players and me in the dressing room," Rodgers explained. "It was probably frustration. We didn't put a tackle in in the first half, but the players adjusted well."
Liverpool now sit in fifth place with 54 points, just one point ahead of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.