Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek is facing a potential five-match suspension after being charged by the English Football Association yesterday.

The 33-year-old Pole was sent off in a reserve derby game with Everton last week and was initially facing a three-match ban for violent conduct, due to start 14 days after the offence.

But the FA have reviewed the match video and opted to further charge Dudek with improper conduct - failing to leave the field after the initial incident and confronting the referee.

The sending off came after a challenge on Dudek by Everton youngster Victor Anichebe, an incident that has already prompted Liverpool to consider an appeal and has produced strong words of condemnation from Anfield boss Rafael Benitez.

Dudek, hero of the 2005 Champions League final, was dismissed for raising his hands to the Everton player, which prompted a melee with players from both sides.

Benitez criticised Anichebe's studs-up challenge on Dudek and said: "The tackle was terrible, and their player was only booked. That's crazy."

Liverpool were bracing themselves for a goalkeeper crisis when Dudek was banned.

Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland, both England squad goalkeepers, are out on loan with Charlton and West Brom respectively and cannot be recalled until January at the earliest.

Dudek was initially due to miss the English League Cup tie with Reading - in which he would probably have stood in for Jose Reina - as well as the league match against the same opposition and then the league game with Aston Villa.

A further two-match ban could involve an English League Cup fourth-round tie or league games with Arsenal and Middlesbrough.

That would leave Liverpool with youth team goalkeeper David Martin - son of former West Ham defender Alvin Martin - as the only cover for first-choice Reina.

Now that problem could be increased by two matches if Dudek is found guilty of the second charge.

With crucial Champions League games, Premiership and English League Cup matches before Christmas, any injury to Reina could see teenager Martin plunged into first-team action.

Liverpool have also been charged with failing to control their players, while Everton have been hit by a similar charge.

With Everton having a suspended FA sentence hanging over them for a first-team incident against Middlesbrough, they could find themselves being hit by a substantial fine, around £20,000.

Liverpool could be fined around £10,000 for their part in the reserve uproar, where players from both sides were involved in a major confrontation on the pitch.

Everton secretary David Harrison said: "We have been charged with a breach of FA rule E20, which is failure to control our players. We have until November 1st to reply and we also have the opportunity to request a personal hearing before the commission, should we wish to do so."

Liverpool have also got until November 1st to reply, but so far have not commented on the FA charges.