FA charge Skrtel for stamping on De Gea

MARTIN SKRTEL is set to be the second Liverpool player banned for stamping in the home defeat by Manchester United after he was charged with violent conduct by the FA. The Slovakia defender is alleged to have trodden on goalkeeper David de Gea at the end of United’s 2-1 win at Anfield on Sunday, leading to an angry confrontation between the two. The FA took action yesterday as referee Martin Atkinson did not see the incident, and a three-man panel unanimously agreed that it was a red-card offence. Skrtel, 30, has until 6pm today to respond to the charge. Steven Gerrard has a three-match ban after his red card for stamping on Ander Herrera. It would be a further blow to Liverpool’s hopes of a top-four finish if Skrtel is suspended too. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted that the video footage did not look good in slow motion, but insisted: ‘He is trying to get the ball.’