Steven Gerrard has defended himself against claims by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that he should have been sent off for a tackle on Patrick Vieira in yesterday's Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium.
Gerrard was booked for the tackle but escaped a second yellow card for another lunge at Thierry Henry soon afterwards.
The midfielder said: "I was just a bit late, these things happen in matches every week. I was trying to stamp my authority on the game".
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier backed his midfielder, saying: "I think everyone is being a little unfair on Stevie. I have seen the incident again on TV and although he deserved a yellow card it was not worth a red. The tackle was late but it wasn't malicious".
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