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Liverpool's Champions League hopes have suffered a second massive blow after the FA charged Martin Skrtel.

The defender until this evening to answer a violent conduct sanction, after video evidence suggested he had stamped on keeper David De Gea at the end of the combustible showdown with Manchester United.

The Reds are unlikely to contest the charge, which means their most important defender will be banned for a minimum of three matches, under rule E3 relating to violent conduct.

Crucially, that means he will miss the must-win visit to Arsenal in a fortnight, in a game the Anfield club know is pivotal to any remaining chance of making the top four.

(Image: Andrew Powell)

The news comes after the club accepted Steven Gerrard's red card for violent conduct after he stamped on United's Anders Herrera just 38 seconds after coming on as a substitute at the start of the second half.

Gerrard will also be banned for three matches, and will miss not only the visit to Arsenal, but the tricky FA Cup quarter final replay at Blackburn, where he was desperate to steer his side to a Wembley date with Aston Villa.

It is a huge blow for the Reds, who have refused to give up on their target of a place in next season's Champions' League, despite the devastating defeat by United.

After the defeat to United, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insisted there was no intent from Skrtel as he made the challenge.

Rodgers said: "I have seen the Martin Skrtel incident. The ball was played through but it probably looks worse in slow motion.

"It looks like he is trying to get a nick on the ball, to get a toe on the ball but the ball went into the goalkeepers hand.

"Martin is not that type of player, he was just a fraction out."

A statement from the FA, explained that referee Martin Atkinson did not witness the incident, because his view was obscured, but the alleged violent conduct was caught on video, allowing the governing body to charge the player.

(Image: Matthew Peters)

"Martin Skrtel has been charged by The FA for violent conduct following an on-field incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video," the statement explained.

"The charge is in relation to an incident involving the Liverpool defender and Manchester United's David de Gea which occurred in the 95th minute of Sunday's game.

"The player has until 6pm on 24 March 2015 to respond to the charge."

The statement explained that three former elite referees each studied the video independently, and came to a unanimous decision the player should face a charge.