The English FA has charged Liverpool centre back Martin Skrtel with violent conduct over a stamp on Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, according to numerous reports including SkySports and BBC Sport, during the recent Liverpool vs Manchester United game, which ended 2-1 to the Red Devils.
The Slovakian defender is accused of stamping on the Spanish shot stopper while trying to pounce on pass to try and provide an unlikely late equaliser. Referee Martin Atkinson presumably did not notice this incident when it happened and thus did not produce a sending off, but after reviewing three former officials have stated that this is indeed a red card offense which needs to be addressed by the FA. With no card produced, FA has full authority to issue a ban as it deems fit if the referee claims he did not see the happening.
Brendan Rodgers has been supportive of his player, claiming “he tried to toe the ball”. If Skrtel does not make a successful appeal, he will have to take the three game ban and join a friendly face in the stands.
The 30-year-old was not the first player to be involved in the likes of a stamping incident in this game; captain Steven Gerrard was sent off just 38 seconds after he replaced Adam Lallana at half-time. The Reds’ captain stamped on Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera. It was shocking to see those whom were expected to stand up as leaders and put a top performance as an example ended up losing their temperament and making irrational decisions.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa was involved in a similar incident after the Spanish striker stamped Liverpool’s Emre Can in the League Cup tie. Costa was charged by the FA and made to serve a three match ban. Skrtel will face the same fate, and it could be problematic for Liverpool.
Skrtel has been nothing short of instrumental for Liverpool, however. He has been rock solid at the base of the defense and has established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. Although he’s experiencing quite a low-scoring season for his standards, his no nonsense tackling, bags of experience and high passing accuracy are real assets for the club. Liverpool move into the next three games, which are a trip to the Emirates to play Arsenal in the league, an FA Cup replay versus Blackburn and a league fixture against Newcastle, of which at least two are critical. Without the likes of Gerrard and possibly now Skrtel, it could be a test of squad depth and mental strength after coming off a comprehensive defeat and losing players so key to this Merseyside outfit.
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