Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has admitted a Football Association charge of improper conduct and has requested a personal hearing. The case will be heard at an FA regulatory commission next Thursday.

The charge came after the FA studied the reaction of the Argentina midfielder to his dismissal during last Sunday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester United.

Mascherano had to be dragged from the pitch by coaching staff and colleagues after being shown a red card in the 45th minute by Steve Bennett. The referee had given Mascherano a second yellow following his protests against a caution issued to Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez admitted Mascherano made a mistake in refusing to leave the pitch, but felt his sending-off was harsh. The 23-year-old is currently serving a one-match suspension for the dismissal, ruling him out of Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.

If the charge of improper conduct is upheld, Mascherano looks set to be in line for an additional suspension, probably for two matches, which would see him also miss Premier League games against Arsenal on April 5th and Blackburn eight days later.

However, any domestic ban would exclude the Champions League quarter-final first and second legs against the Gunners on April 2nd and 9th.

An FA statement today read: "Liverpool's Javier Mascherano has admitted a charge of improper conduct and requested a personal hearing. The charge relates to his reaction towards referee Steve Bennett after being sent off against Manchester United on Sunday, March 23.

"The case will be heard by a regulatory commission on Thursday, April 3rd. Mascherano is currently serving a one-match suspension for the sending-off."