I think it is fair to say that Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is not amused with the decision by the FA to give him a three-match ban for stamping on Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea at the weekend.
After hearing the news, Skrtel published the above clown picture on his Instagram account!
Skrtel was found guilty of violent conduct after he was ruled to have stamped on De Gea in stoppage time at the end of Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to Manchester United on Sunday.
Skrtel had denied the FA charge which was brought on the basis of video evidence, after referee Martin Atkinson confirmed that he did not see the incident with De Gea.
The Slovakia defender becomes the second Liverpool player to be banned for violent conduct in the game after Steven Gerrard was given an automatic three-game suspension for stamping on Ander Herrera just 38 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute.
Both players will now miss the crucial trip to third-placed Arsenal a week on Saturday and Newcastle’s visit to Anfield on April 13, as well as Liverpool’s FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn five days earlier.
Liverpool also have a number of injury concerns arising from the United game. Daniel Sturridge (hip) and Adam Lallana (groin) have withdrawn from England duty, while Raheem Sterling is expected to do the same after playing in tomorrow’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley.