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Hamann out after Essien challenge

LONDON, England -- Dietmar Hamann has been ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League match against Middlesbrough on Saturday as he struggles to recover from a horrific tackle by Chelsea's Michael Essien in midweek.

Essien was charged by UEFA with unsporting behavior on Thursday, using video evidence of the challenge that went unpunished by the referee.

Liverpool manger Rafael Benitez said the fact that the German star would miss the match was vindication of that course of action.

"After the game I said it was so clear that I did not have to say anything," Benitez said Friday. "Now I have Didi Hamann out and that says everything.

"I am not just concerned with this case, but all such cases. You can use video. For me it is not right to use video to change decisions of referees because a mistake is a mistake. But for this kind of thing it is easy, you can see the video and decide.

"If you want to protect skilful players then you should be able to use video. He cannot play against Middlesbrough - he will need a few days more to be fit - and that is a problem. Video is there and it should be used."

Essien apologized to Hamann on Friday, Chelsea said.

"Michael has spoken to Dietmar by telephone this evening. He apologized to Dietmar, assured him the tackle was accidental and that there was no malicious intent," a Chelsea spokesman was quoted as telling the club's official website in a brief report.

Benitez replaces Hamann in the squad with fit-again Xabi Alonso and he also has Mohamed Sissoko back from a one-match domestic ban.

Liverpool will be bidding to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games, and to make it a 10th successive clean sheet, which will equal the club record.

Benitez is desperate to keep the run going as Liverpool head for next week's World Club Championship in Japan.

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