Liverpool defender Martin
Skrtel has denied a charge of violent conduct following Sunday's game with
Manchester United at Anfield.
The
charge relates to an incident with David De Gea towards the end of the game
where Skrtel appeared to stand on the United keeper’s leg.
If
found guilty, the Liverpool defender could face a three-game ban - the same
punishment given to Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who was retrospectively found
guilty of stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can during a Capital One Cup clash
against Liverpool in January.
But he has appealed the
charge, which was issued on Monday by the FA after examining video evidence,
and Sky sources understand he insists the contact with de Gea was accidental
and not intentional.
A
three-game ban would see Skrtel miss Liverpool's vital Premier League trip to
Arsenal on April 4, their FA Cup replay against Blackburn on April 8 and the
home game against Newcastle five days later.
Liverpool
are already without Steven Gerrard for those three game after the club captain
was sent off just 38 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute for a
stamp on Ander Herrera.
