As Liverpool lick their wounds after a gutting 2-1 defeat to fierce rivals United, centre-back Martin Skrtel is left to rue a rash challenge that’s resulted in an FA charge. To compound Brendan Rodgers’ woes, Daniel Sturridge suffered a fresh injury setback during the United clash and has been ruled out of England’s European qualifiers. Elsewhere, Gareth McAuley’s one-match suspension is switched over to Craig Dawson in light of the former’s wrongful dismissal at the Etihad.
Skrtel pays price for late stamp
The FA took retrospective action and charged Martin Skrtel with violent conduct after the Liverpool defender appeared to stamp on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea in Sunday’s match-up. The incident was not seen at the time by referee Martin Atkinson, but the FA elected to submit the footage to an independent panel of three former officials who reached a unanimous decision. Speaking in his post-match interview, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insisted that there was no malicious intent from Skrtel as he made a fair attempt to retrieve possession:
“I think that it’s towards the end of the game, he’s been pushed upfield, but I don’t think he caught him with intent. I think he’s trying to nick the final contact on the ball, and if he does that then he probably gets a penalty, so he’s stretching. The ball goes into the ‘keeper’s arms, and obviously he’s caught him after that. But he’s just trying to get a toe on the ball, and if he does that and gets brought down then it’s probably a penalty. I didn’t think it was on purpose, at all, but obviously when the ‘keeper gets the studs like that then it can be a bit painful for him.”
The Scout Says:Skrtel has until 6pm this evening to respond to the charge and, if found guilty by the FA, will miss the Reds’ league clashes against Arsenal and Newcastle United, as well as their FA Cup replay against Blackburn Rovers. The Slovakian centre-back’s absence should afford Dejan Lovren a run of starts in central defence, providing the latter can recover from the abdominal wall injury that’s ruled him out of Croatia’s European Championship qualifiers. Liverpool’s 13-match unbeaten run, prior to their 2-1 defeat at the hands of United, was predicated on a remarkable defensive record – the Merseysiders conceded just eight goals and recorded eight clean sheets in that period – so any enforced changes in their rearguard threaten to disrupt the momentum generated. Arsenal’s high-powered offense and a sprightly Hull City outfit – who more than held their own against Chelsea’s plethora of stars – await Liverpool in their next three league encounters. Doubtless Rodgers would have preferred to call upon the services of the ever-reliable Skrtel but may well have to invest faith in the sometimes erratic Lovren or turn to Kolo Toure, depending on the Croatian’s availability. With Simon Mignolet also set for ankle scans, it’s fair to say that Rodgers faces an anxious wait over the international break before domestic action resumes in 11 days’ time.
Sturridge suffers fresh injury setback
Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out of England’s Euro 2016 qualifiers following scans on a hip injury sustained against Manchester United. The medical team at St George’s Park made the decision on Monday afternoon that Sturridge should sit out the international ties and return to Merseyside.
The Scout Says: Athough Liverpool are yet to declare the extent of Sturridge’s injury, it’s likely that both club and country will be unwilling to take even the slightest chance on the striker’s fitness, given that the former Chelsea marksman is only just hitting his stride following a lengthy injury lay-off – which, incidentally, can be traced back to a thigh strain sustained in England training last September. Four goals and three assists in eight appearances since returning from injury offered very encouraging signs before this latest setback, particularly for Fantasy managers eyeing up a potential double Gameweek for the Reds (subject to the outcome of their FA Cup replay). Beyond a tricky match-up at the Emirates next time out, Liverpool’s subsequent batch of fixtures (NEW, hul, wba, QPR) could offer Sturridge the springboard to play himself back into form. In the event that Sturridge’s latest complaint takes a while to resolve, Raheem Sterling could profit by being tasked with spearheading the Reds’ attack again. The youngster has drawn blanks in each of his last three since being moved to the right wing-back berth but prior to that, he’d scored or assisted in five of his last six appearances when fielded in a central position.
Dawson banned as FA overrule on-field call
The FA have transferred Gareth McAuley’s one-match suspension to Craig Dawson after referee Neil Swarbrick wrongly dismissed the former in a case of mistaken identity during West Brom’s visit to Manchester City. The Baggies decided against appealing for fear of having the ban extended.
The Scout Says: The fact that 10-man West Brom restricted Manchester City to just three goals last Saturday is testament to the tactical discipline manager Tony Pulis has instilled since the turn of the year. Prior to his appointment, the Baggies conceded 1.45 goals per match and recorded six shut-outs in 20 fixtures. Since his arrival, the West Midlanders have conceded just one goal per game and already doubled their clean sheet tally, with six in their last 10 fixtures. Dawson (4.5) emerged as the cheapest of the viable routes into West Brom’s rearguard – ahead of Joleon Lescott (5.1) and Gareth McAuley (4.8) – so it’s a nuisance for his 4% ownership that a favourable home encounter against Queens Park Rangers is next on the agenda, though he returns in Gameweek 32 for a home clash with Leicester before travelling to Selhurst Park. Chris Baird or Andre Wisdom should get the nod in Dawson’s short-term absence, though those looking for an alternative route into Pulis’ backline may consider the 4.0-priced Boaz Myhill, given that Ben Foster is out for the next six months. It’s worth noting, though, that the Baggies face four of the current top five in their closing match-ups, with showdowns against Liverpool, United, Chelsea and Arsenal from Gameweek 34 onwards.
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