Liverpool will be without defender Philipp Degen for their next three Premier League games after the club’s appeal over his red card against Fulham was turned down by the Football Association.

In a firey last twenty minutes at Craven Cottage, in which Liverpool went down 3-1 to Roy Hodgson’s men, Swiss right-back Degen was given his marching orders after a challenge on Clint Dempsey.

The straight red card seemed pretty harsh but the FA have rejected Liverpool’s appeal.

Degen will now miss Liverpool’s games against Birmingham City, Manchester City and Everton.

He was also not included in Rafa Benitez’s Champions League squad at the start of the season so is not available for selection in tonight’s game against Lyon in France, amid an injury crisis.

The club decided not to appeal against Jamie Carragher’s red card against Fulham and the vice-captain will serve a one-match ban for his professional foul late on.