Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has apologised following his dismissal after 38 seconds in the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United.
The 34-year-old, who is due to join LA Galaxy at the end of the season, came on as a half-time substitute and appeared to stamp on Ander Herrera. Gerrard is now set to miss three games.
“I need to accept it; the decision was right. I’ve let down my team-mates and the fans. I take full responsibility,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.
“I don’t know what caused it. 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 were already trailing 1-0 when Gerrard was dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson.
After appearing for the second half, the captain put in a robust challenge on goalscorer Juan Mata, with Herrera responding with a firm tackle on Gerrard, for which the Manchester United midfielder was booked.
TV replays showed that Gerrard reacted by appearing to stamp on Herrera as he lay on the ground and he was shown the sixth red card of his Premier League career.
Having just returned from injury, he is now likely to miss FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn, and two of eight remaining Premier League games.
The former England captain announced in January that he was leaving Anfield at the end of the season, after joining the Reds aged nine.
“From now until the last kick of the last game of the season, I will be as fully committed to the team as I ever have been and giving everything I have to help Liverpool win games,” he said at the time.
Gerrard, who made his Liverpool debut in 1998, led the club to the Champions League title in 2005, and has won a further nine trophies in his career.