From The Guardian:
‘Families can fall out over Christmas and Steven Gerrard almost divided Merseyside last night with a challenge on Everton's Gary Naysmith that was so late he almost finished it on Boxing Day. Towards the end of this dire derby, Gerrard went in two-footed on Naysmith, who was lucky to escape with little more damage than a gash and a splash of blood staining his long white shorts.
Gerrard will not escape. He will be charged by the Football Association as the referee, Graham Poll, will highlight the ugly incident in the report he sends to Soho Square today. As Poll failed to caution Gerrard, the FA can take substantial retrospective action, including suspension.
It was unpleasant to behold. As Naysmith lay writhing on the cold Anfield turf, Gerrard was confronted by Everton's incensed senior players, Alan Stubbs and Kevin Campbell, but he shrugged them aside.
Gerrard sounded contrite afterwards. "I want to apologise for the tackle. I've gone in with two feet and my studs showing but I did try and pull back. I would never go out deliberately to hurt an opponent. I apologised to Gary Naysmith on the pitch and also when we shook hands afterwards. He has accepted the apology."
Gerard Houllier, conceded that the incident "doesn't look good", but stressed: "You have these things in derbies."