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Steven Gerrard remembered for highs not lows, says Phil Thompson

Steven Gerrard lifts the Champions League on Liverpool's last visit to the Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium.

Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson is adamant Steven Gerrard's legacy is not at stake following his red card against Manchester United on Sunday.

Gerrard lasted just 38 seconds after coming on for the second half at Anfield - the seventh red card of his club career - with Liverpool going on to lose the Premier League game 2-1.

The former England captain will leave Liverpool at the end of the season having won 10 club honours, and could yet add a third FA Cup medal to his collection, with Liverpool to face Blackburn in a quarter-final replay next month.

<B>Thommo's Tip: England to beat Lithuania 4-0 at 15/2</B>

Gerrard has been sent off four times against rivals Manchester United and Everton, but former Liverpool captain Thompson believes much of the criticism directed at him in the wake of his latest red card has been unfair.

"There's absolutely no chance he'll be remembered for his disciplinary problems, especially not one particular incident like Sunday," Thommo told Sky Sports.

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Jamie Carragher says the emotion of the occasion got the better of Steven Gerrard

"It's still fresh in everybody's minds and folk will always look for ways to kick a man when he's down.

"But, in time, his red card on Sunday and his overall disciplinary record will be forgotten about and people will remember the good times, of which there are many, many more.

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"People will remember Istanbul - Stevie kick-starting the team into life and ultimately captaining the winning side in the greatest European Cup final in history.

"They'll remember the FA Cup final against West Ham too - again, one of the great cup finals in recent memory.

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Steven Gerrard says he knows he has let his manager, teammates and more importantly the fans down

"And he also scored in the UEFA Cup final against Alaves when he was a lot younger. Those performances are what Steven Gerrard will be remembered for."

Thompson accepts that Gerrard will always have his critics having never lifted the Premier League title, but insists the 34-year-old deserves respect for his achievements on all fronts.

"He's won absolutely everything but the league," he added. "The one that got away will always be held against him, but it's unfair and disrespectful to use it as a stick to beat him with.

"He's been a fantastic player for club and country, one of the greatest on both parts, and I don't think a sending-off like that should cloud anyone's judgement."

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Steven Gerrard says he knows he has let his manager, teammates and more importantly the fans down
<a href="http://www.skybet.com/football/euro-2016/event/17666126?aff=9713&dcmp=ss_betlink_EditThommoOnGerrard">"Obviously he’ll miss a few games now but it’s up to the rest of the team not to unravel – a successful send-off could now depend on how they react to Sunday’s defeat."</a>
<b>Phil Thompson</b>

Gerrard's three-game suspension for the straight red offence - a stamp on Ander Herrera - means he only has a maximum of eight games left for the club, but he is not done yet, according to Thompson.

When asked if Liverpool fans will ever witness another magical Gerrard moment in a red shirt, the former defender said: "I'd like to think so.

"Obviously he'll miss a few games now but it's up to the rest of the team not to unravel - a successful send-off could now depend on how they react to Sunday's defeat.

"If they can get the job done over Blackburn in the FA Cup, then we'll be back at Wembley for a semi-final at least, and the top four isn't settled just yet."

Thommo has tipped England to beat Lithuania 4-0 on Friday at 15/2 with Football League sponsors Sky Bet

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