Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel found guilty of stamp on Manchester United’s David De Gea, receives three-game ban.
Liverpool fans are still picking up the pieces following a heartbreaking and potentially crucial defeat to arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday. They were today given yet another punch to the nose as it was announced that key defender Martin Skrtel will be suspended for three games.
Liverpool were favorites to beat their old enemy in the Premier League clash on Sunday morning, however they failed to show up for the game and as a result the visitors ran riot in Anfield. They were outplayed from start to finish and ended up losing the 2-1.
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Just as damaging as the defeat, Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard was sent off 48 seconds after coming on as a substitution for stamping on Man United’s Ander Herrera. It put his team in an awful position and the English midfielder has since apologized for his rash behavior. Gerrard is out of Liverpool’s next three games through suspension for violent conduct, and now Skrtel follows suit.
The Slovakian defender was found guilty of intentionally stamping on Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea in the final embers of the game. Tensions were high and everyone’s adrenaline was through the roof following a last minute penalty miss from United’s Wayne Rooney. The surge of adrenaline got the better of the defender as a last gasp attack that ended in disappointment lead him to follow through and stamp down on the leg of the goalkeeper who was on the ground at the time.
Skrtel who has had a very good season for Liverpool appealed the ban but an independant panel upheld the original decision and he will serve a three game ban. This is yet another blow for Liverpool who are now five points behind Manchester United in the race for fourth place. With only 8 games remaining it’s looking increasingly unlikely that Liverpool will retain their spot in Europe’s elite competition.
H/T SkySports
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