Apr 28 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

A DISTRAUGHT Xabi Alonso begged French referee Alain Sars to reconsider the booking which rules him out of Liverpool's match of the season against Chelsea.

But the heartbroken midfielder is resigned to sitting out next week's second leg at Anfield.

Alonso's 88th minute caution followed a challenge on Eidur Gudjohnsen, which TV replays showed involved no contact from the Spaniard.

Liverpool officials are furious today amid claims Gud-johnsen taunted Alonso after he toppled without being touched - and told the Spaniard he knew was on a yellow card already and would now miss the return.

Liverpool have no avenue of appeal, although a change of heart by the official could have offered hope to the Reds playmaker.

The club have been informed the decision will stand and Alonso can't play in the return leg, which stands tantalisingly at 0-0 following another heroic European display by Benitez's side.

For Alonso, however, the evening was bittersweet.

"You can see on the replay I didn't touch the player," said Alonso today.

"When I saw the yellow card I couldn't believe it because I knew what it meant. I feel so sad to be missing the second leg.

"I hoped after seeing the tackle again, maybe the referee could change his mind, but we've been told it's not possible to appeal.

"It's a big disappointment for me to miss the game at Anfield, because it will be a special night. Now I just hope we can get through to the final so I have another chance to play in the competition."

Chelsea striker Gudjohnsen said he sympathised with Alonso, but refused to criticise the unjust booking.

"It's disappointing for him to get the yellow card, but it's not my decision it's the referee's decision," said Gudjohnsen.

"I would never try to get a fellow professional booked. The referee just gave the foul and got the book out. I understand his disappointment and it's a shame for him to miss the next game.

"But I'm a Chelsea player so there's nothing I can do to stop it. It's one of those things. I didn't agree with Joe Cole's booking either."

A UEFA spokesman confirmed there is no process of appeal available.

"The only way a decision can be changed is if there is a case of mis-taken identity and the referee has taken down the wrong number of a player," he said..

"A referee cannot change his decision once he has booked an individual player."

Alonso's booking may mean an earlier than expected recall for Didi Hamann, who has been out for over a month with knee ligament damage.

Last week Benitez ruled the German out of both legs. But he is back in training, improving quicker than expected and is now close to fitness.

Even if he is less than 100 per cent the Reds boss may well decide he has no option but to risk him for the return.

Benitez said: "Didi is training normally and I think he will be fit for the second leg."