Gerrard, who will meet Gattuso again in the May 23 European Cup final, used his autobiography to detail his anger with the Italian international.
"He had a smirk on his face leaving the pitch at half-time,'' Gerrard wrote. "I saw it. F*** you. A couple of other Milan players waved at their fans and family. That disgusted me. OK, Milan were battering us, but you never behave like that to opponents. I was steaming as I arrived in the dressing room.''
Gerrard's words to his team-mates then would have turned a bleep-gun into a Bren gun.
Asked yesterday about Gerrard's accusations of Milanese triumphalism, Gattuso shrugged his shoulders and pleaded innocence. "No, we didn't do that at all,'' he insisted in decent English acquired from his days with Rangers. "It was wrong to say that. I am very happy Gerrard wants to say that about me to get me going. I now have 20 days to prepare to play against him again.
"For me, it's not about Gattuso against Gerrard, despite what he said. For me, Gerrard is the best player in England. He is a technical player, who plays very hard and with his heart. He is a legend for his club and the best player they've got.
"I have more respect for him because I remember that final in Istanbul. We had won it but then he played a great game and changed everything.
"I watched him against Chelsea on Tuesday and he was amazing, unbelievable. I still say I have respect for him and like the way he plays. I am looking forward to playing him again and looking him in the eye before it starts. This will be a very important game for us both.''
Like a struggling Milan tailor, Gattuso may have his work cut out. Gerrard again:
"I wasn't worried about Gattuso before the game, during the game, or after,'' the Liverpool captain wrote. "People rate the Italian for some reason. For me, he is all mouth. He looks aggressive, but he is as scary as a kitten. I swear I wouldn't mind playing against Gattuso every week. He doesn't hurt you. I have never seen Gattuso play a killer ball. He won't nick a goal either. Gattuso just plays for the fans - theatrical and emotional.''
Telegraph.co.uk