LIVERPOOL and their former defender Christian Ziege have been charged by the Premier League over the controversial £5.5m transfer which saw the German international quit Middlesbrough at the start of last season.

Northern Echo Sport has learned that Champions' League contenders Liverpool and Ziege, who moved to Tottenham in a £4m summer deal following a fall-out with Anfield manager Gerard Houllier, are set to face a disciplinary commission.

Charges have been brought with regard to "breaches of rules in relation to the approach made to the player via his agent, and the registration of the player.''

A source close to the Premier League last night confirmed: "Both Ziege and Liverpool have been charged. They have 14 days to respond, where they can admit guilt but cite mitigating circumstances, in which case a commission would be drawn up.

"Alternatively, they can plead not guilty, in which case a commission would be drawn up as well.''

It is roughly a year since Boro complained to the Premier League, claiming wing-back Ziege had been the subject of an illegal approach from a third party working on behalf of Liverpool.

Ziege activated a get-out clause in his five-year contract, allowing him to speak to any club offering £5m or more for his services, but was forced to take Boro to court to win his release after they attempted to block the deal only a year after the player's £4m arrival from AC Milan.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson accused Liverpool and Ziege of "lies and deceit'' and threatened to take the matter back to court unless the Premier League brought both parties to book.

Gibson said Liverpool "inflicted maximum damage'' on Boro by making their move for Ziege on the eve of last season.

"Liverpool know and Ziege knows exactly what went on and we wish to expose that through the correct channels so that the matter can be resolved to the satisfaction of the Premier League rule book,'' said Gibson in an interview with Echo Sport last November.

"The rules have clearly been broken. I would hope the severity of any damages would be a warning to all clubs.''

Boro were understood to be seeking a further £2.5m from Liverpool as compensation for the loss of Ziege, who they believed had a market value of £8m at the time of his transfer.

Liverpool maintained there had been no impropriety on their part and Houllier labelled Boro's claims "laughable''.

Then-Boro boss Bryan Robson, who signed Ziege, responded by saying: "We'll see who's laughing.''

Echo Sport understands that the case against 29-year-old Ziege is stronger than that against Liverpool. If found guilty, Ziege would be fined but escape a ban because the Premier League would not impose any punishment which might affect Tottenham, who are not under investigation.

Liverpool would also be likely to receive a fine, rather than a points deduction, though it is unclear whether there would be any reparation to Middlesbrough.

But if Liverpool are proven guilty, Boro might consider pursuing a claim for compensation through the courts.

An intriguing footnote to the saga is that Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry held a similar post with the Premier League when Boro were docked three points for failing to fulfil a fixture five seasons ago.