Gerrard gets three-game ban

Gerrard claimed he attempted to pull out of tackle

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard has been suspended for three games after he was found guilty of violent conduct following an FA disciplinary hearing.

Gerrard faced the charge following his two-footed lunge at Everton's Gary Naysmith in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on 22 December.

The suspension takes immediate effect, starting with the FA Cup fourth round replay against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday.

If I had the slightest hint that Steven was guilty I wouldn't have come here to try and defend him

Gerard Houllier
Liverpool manager

Gerrard, who was not fined, will also miss the home game against Middlesbrough and the visit to Birmingham City.

The ban means Gerrard will not be considered for England's friendly against Australia at Upton Park on 12 February.

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He arrived at the hearing at Bolton's Reebok Stadium with Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier after denying the charge. Gerrard claimed he never intended to hurt Naysmith, despite television replays showing him jumping into the tackle.

Houllier was unhappy with the verdict and said: "It was practically an accident. If I had the slightest hint that he was guilty of anything I wouldn't have come here to try and defend him.

"We have to get on with it. We won't let things destroy us."

Referee Graham Poll missed the incident but the FA agreed to consider the footage and confirmed that a hearing would take place.

Gerrard publicly apologised for the tackle immediately after the game and insisted he had attempted to pull out of making any contact with Naysmith.

"I want to apologise for the tackle," he said at the time.

"I did go into the challenge two-footed and with my studs showing, but I tried to pull back.

"I certainly never intended to hurt him. Tackling is a big part of my game, but I did not set out to deliberately hurt him."

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