Reds to accept Reina ban

Sky Sports sources understand that Liverpool have decided not to appeal against the red card shown to goalkeeper Pepe Reina at Newcastle.

Liverpool understood to have decided against appeal

Sky Sports sources understand that Liverpool have decided not to appeal against the red card shown to goalkeeper Pepe Reina for violent conduct at Newcastle. Reina's frustration boiled over in the 82nd minute of Sunday's match as he pushed his head towards James Perch during an angry confrontation. Martin Atkinson sent the Spaniard off and he had to give the keeper's jersey to left-back Jose Enrique for the final few minutes as Liverpool had already used all three of their substitutions. Kenny Dalglish had no complaints after the final whistle and Reina is now set to serve a three-match suspension after Liverpool opted not to contest Atkinson's decision.

Major blow

The 29-year-old has been Liverpool's No.1 since moving to Anfield in 2005 and it will a major blow for Dalglish to be without such an experienced campaigner for the upcoming period. Reina will miss the Premier League clashes with Aston Villa and Blackburn, as well as the FA Cup semi-final against Merseyside rivals Everton at Wembley on 14th April. Alexander Doni, who has yet to play a competitive game for the club after arriving from Roma last summer, is set to fill in for Reina. Liverpool lost 2-0 to Newcastle to extend a miserable recent run in the Premier League and Dalglish has since called on his players to stay calm and harness their frustration more positively.