WHEN Michael Essien clattered into Dietmar Hamann's knee this week, Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng could have been forgiven for recalling some bitter memories.

Four years ago, Boateng was the recipient of a similarly shocking tackle that almost ended his career. With his Aston Villa side playing at Anfield, the Dutchman was left writhing on the ground after Steven Gerrard thrust his studs into the top of his leg.

Gerrard was instantly dismissed and, while Boateng was not seriously damaged, the incident still left a bitter taste in the mouth.

The pair will be reunited on Merseyside this lunchtime but, despite Essien's challenge mirroring their previous clash, Boateng insists he does not harbour a grudge.

"I thought the Essien challenge was a bad one," said the 30-year-old. "Hamann was lucky because, if his foot had stuck in the ground, his leg would have been broken.

"It was a bad challenge - a career-threatening challenge - and I had the same with Steven Gerrard.

"But Steven had the manners to ring me up after the game and apologise for what he had done. He said he was scared that I was going to kick him and that's why he did what he did. He went into the challenge thinking he was going to be kicked. That was the reason he gave me and it was fair enough. I got on with things. I told him I could still play my football, so I did not hold a grudge against him. Obviously, things might have been different if I was unable to play football anymore."

Since then, Boateng has gone on to force his way back into the Holland team, while Gerrard has established himself as one of Europe's leading midfielders.

The Liverpool skipper led his side to Champions League glory last season and, if things go to plan, could yet play a pivotal role in next summer's World Cup.

"Everybody knows about Steven Gerrard," said Boateng. "He is an excellent player and I think he is the most dangerous person in the whole of the Liverpool team.

"He is more dangerous than the strikers because everything starts from him. Either he sets someone free or, more often than not, he scores a goal himself."

With Gerrard to the fore, Liverpool have won their last six league games to climb to third in the Premiership table.

Most impressively of all, it is now more than 14 hours since Rafael Benitez's side last conceded a goal - a record that Boateng feels Boro must attempt to emulate if they are to iron out the inconsistencies in their form.

"Liverpool have adopted a more defensive system and that has made them very difficult to break down," he said.

"Perhaps we have to approach games in the same way, whether it is in Europe or not.

"Playing Liverpool is always a difficult game but, over the past few games, people have seen that we are becoming difficult to beat as well.

"People have said that we are inconsistent, but I think we are doing the right things and moving in the right direction.

"This will be a very difficult game for us but, because we didn't get anything against Chelsea, it is a game that we cannot afford to lose."

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