Houllier angered by Gerrard's three-game ban

Steven Gerrard has been frozen out of Liverpool's chase for honours with a three–match ban after being found guilty of violent conduct at an FA disciplinary hearing.

And because the England midfielder will be serving a domestic ban, he will not be considered for selection by Sven–Goran Eriksson for the February 12 friendly with Australia at Upton Park.

The FA charged Gerrard after viewing video evidence of the player's two–footed lunge on Everton defender Gary Naysmith during the goalless Merseyside derby at Anfield on December 22.

Referee Graham Poll, who did not punish Gerrard or even give a free–kick because he did not see the incident properly, was also called to give evidence at the hearing.

No fine was imposed but the player and club must pay the expenses of the hearing, and the ban starts immediately.

The midfielder, who braved a blizzard to get into Bolton's Reebok Stadium for today's three–hour hearing, will consequently be left out in the cold for the next few weeks of Liverpool's drive for silverware.

He will miss Wednesday's FA Cup fourth–round replay with Crystal Palace, Saturday's Barclaycard Premiership visit of Middlesbrough and the trip to Birmingham on February 23.

It is a serious blow for Gerrard, who only yesterday blasted a stunning goal to help Liverpool win 3–0 at West Ham as the team's recovery from a damaging poor run continues.

Gerrard left the hearing without comment but manager Gerard Houllier insisted: "I would not have come here to defend him if for one moment I felt he was guilty."

The only bright point for Gerrard is that the 22–year–old will play in the two legs of the UEFA Cup against Auxerre as well as the Worthington Cup Final in Cardiff against Manchester United on March 2.

Gerrard's defence was led by Houllier, but also included chief executive Rick Parry – and the player was backed by PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor and deputy Mick McGuire.

The hearing, chaired by FA disciplinary committee chief Barry Bright and held in one of Bolton's executive boxes, was told by Liverpool that the tackle had not been intentional and that Gerrard was quick to apologise to both player and Everton boss David Moyes.

They also claimed that the FA should take into account Gerrard's disciplinary record, considered to be impressive considering his combative midfield role – he has been sent off three times and booked 23 times in 178 matches.

But the committee decided Gerrard was guilty, and Houllier said afterwards: "We are very disappointed with the verdict.

"I repeat what I have always said, that it was a mistimed tackle. Even David Moyes acknowledged that.

"I would say it is an action that happens in football, a collision, that's all.

"If I'd had the slight hint that he was guilty of something I wouldn't have come here to defend him.

"The suspension starts now. He's been playing well but we won't let things destroy us and we will be strong and overcome this."