Benitez welcomes use of video in Essien case

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has welcomed the use of video technology after Chelsea's Michael Essien was charged by UEFA following his tackle on Dietmar Hamann this week.

Essien was charged with "gross unsporting conduct" on Thursday after UEFA instigated disciplinary proceedings following the tackle in Tuesday's Champions League match that Hamann des-cribed as the worst he had ever suffered.

Ghana international Essien escaped punishment on the night of the match, which finished goalless. Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League.

"If you want to protect skilful players it is good to use the video at times to help," Benitez told a news conference yesterday.

"Sometimes the referee can't see all the things on a football pitch and the video can be used to protect players."

German international Hamann, who feared he had broken his leg but managed to walk away from the challenge with gashes just below the knee, is ruled out of today's Premier League match against M'boro.

Benitez said: "Didi is training but he has no confidence and I will have to rest him."

Liverpool will attempt to equal a club record of 10 consecutive clean sheets when they face Middlesbrough, who are 10th in the standings.

"I prefer not to talk about these things," Benitez said.

"I prefer it if I am reminded after the game.

"But it is a good to be close. This is a big club with a big history and the records are difficult to beat."

Liverpool leave the following day for the Club World Championship in Japan. The six-team tournament begins tomorrow, but Liverpool do not enter the competition until the semi-final stage on Thursday.

Benitez said he was gearing up for a tough test against the other teams, who comprise Brazil's Sao Paulo, Australia's Sydney FC, Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa, Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad and Egypt's Al Ahly, but was happy with his own side's form.

"Everything is okay. We finished top of the Champions League group and now if we win against Middlesbrough, everything will be perfect," he said.

"That will set us up for Japan and we know it will be a difficult tournament because the South American players all want to win it. They want to beat the best side in Europe."