Gerrard says sorry for nasty tackle

Gerrard's reckless lunge on the Toffees man sparked a confrontation between the two sides during a powderkeg Merseyside derby.

Though the England international escaped censure from referee Graham Poll, the distasteful challenge spoiled a blood-and-thunder contest.

But Gerrard insists he did not intend to injure Naysmith and has apologised to his 'victim' and Everton manager David Moyes for the tackle.

"I want to apologise for the tackle. I have gone in with two feet with my studs showing but I tried to pull back as late as possible. I didn't deliberately try to hurt him," Gerrard told the club's official website.

"I've apologised to the player after the game. If I tried to go straight through him then I'd have hurt him but I did try to pull out of the tackle.

"He accepted the apology and I've also tried to explain to some of the other Everton players that it wasn't my intention to hurt him. I do apologise for going into a tackle with two feet and with my studs showing.

"I spoke to 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 but it is never my intention to hurt a fellow player."