Liverpool May Appeal Mascherano's Extra Two-game Ban

Liverpool are considering an appeal against the additional two-match ban handed to Javier Mascherano for his furious reaction to being sent off against Manchester United.

The Argentinian was fined £15,000 and found guilty of improper conduct yesterday by the Football Association, which also increased his initial one-match suspension to three games with immediate effect. That means Mascherano, who has already been fined £20,000 by his club, will miss tomorrow's game at Arsenal and next weekend's home match against Blackburn Rovers, two awkward fixtures in Liverpool's attempt to secure fourth place and a Champions League qualifying-round slot.

Liverpool believe the additional two games for the midfielder's refusal to leave the pitch after his dismissal by Steve Bennett goes beyond recent precedents. They also point to the lack of action against Ashley Cole when the Chelsea defender turned his back on Mike Riley at Spurs. That incident sparked an FA call for more respect for referees, which made Mascherano's indiscretion especially untimely, but Anfield officials are giving serious consideration to an appeal and have until noon today to do so.

"Although we received a fair hearing we must now decide whether to appeal on the basis of inconsistency based on past precedents," a club spokesman confirmed. Only last month the Watford midfielder John Eustace had a three-match ban increased by one because of his failure to leave the pitch "in a timely fashion" when sent off by Rob Styles. If Liverpool appeal they are also expected to mention the punishment dealt to Emmanuel Adebayor for his behavior in last year's Carling Cup final; the Arsenal striker received an additional one-match ban and a £7,500 fine for refusing to leave the field against Chelsea.

Liverpool do not contest that Mascherano deserved to miss an extra game but they may ask for the two-match ban to be suspended and any appeal to be held next week, a move which would free the midfielder to face Arsenal. Alternatively they could accept his suspension against Arsenal but challenge the third game, with a hearing to take place before next Sunday's encounter with Mark Hughes' side.