Giroud started the game after being brought on as a substitute in the 2-0 Premier League win over Stoke City at the weekend, but failed to impress in the first half at the Stadio Maksimir, before being dismissed before half-time.
Gerrard believes the France striker was largely inneffectual and had "himself to blame" for the dismissal, suggesting that though the second yellow card was harsh, the Arsenal player brought it on himself.
"He's been brought into the team to try and hold play up and bring Arsenal's attacking players into the game and everything's bounced off him," Gerrard told BT Sport.
"He hasn't held it up well at all. He's been booked stupidly for dissent. He's only got himself to blame for the red card even though I feel the second one is really harsh.
"The first one he's upset the referee with dissent. The referee's got it in for him and he's looking for one mistake and he's made it."
Ferdinand, a former Champions League winner with Manchester United, shared Gerrard's sentiments, criticising Giroud for a "terrible half" and failing to hold the ball in his role as a target man.
"I think this type of thing comes from frustration of not playing well," Ferdinand told BT Sport.
"He had a terrible half. He never held the ball up.
"You're a target man, you're a big six foot three centre forward, the first thing you're meant to do his hold it up and let people run off you.
"He's the platform for attacks. He never done that once. That's borne out of frustration."
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