Liverpool: Martin Skrtel denies FA charge of violent conduct after David de Gea 'stamp' incident

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has denied a Football Association charge of violent conduct following an alleged stamp on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

Skrtel, 30, was charged on 23 March for the incident that took place during Liverpool's 2-1 defeat at Anfield on 22 March.

He faces a three-match suspension, which will rule him out of his side's key Premier League clash with Arsenal and the FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn Rovers.

But the Slovakian defender has insisted the incident was accidental, according to a number of reports. The FA is expected to make its verdict on 25 March.

Skrtel appeared to stand on De Gea's leg while chasing a through ball into the United box in the final moments of Liverpool's defeat.

Referee Martin Atkinson, who had earlier shown a straight red card to Steven Gerrard for a similar incident on Ander Herrera, did not see the incident that was captured on video.

However, after the footage was reviewed by a panel of three former elite referees, it was agreed unanimously that the incident warranted a red card for the Liverpool defender.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers leapt to the defence of his player in his post-match comments, insisting Skrtel was "not that type of player".

Skrtel's ban would see him miss the visit to Arsenal on 4 April, the home game with Newcastle United on 13 April and the FA Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers on 8 April.