Summary

  • Both teams make two changes

  • Middlesbrough: Valdes, Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Fabio, Clayton, De Roon, Forshaw, Traore, Fischer, Negredo

  • Liverpool drop goalkeeper Karius to bench

  • Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Firmino, Mane, Origi

  1. PENALTY APPEALpublished at 55 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Liverpool continue to construct attacks at will, no wonder Aitor Karanka may change things. A low cross into the box finds Sadio Mane, he shoots on the spin and Calum Chambers blocks. The away side scream penalty, Jonathan Moss is unmoved.

    A look at the replay and in fairness to Chambers his arm is tucked against his chest, no penalty for me at least.

  2. Postpublished at 53 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    A look at the stats and the high-pressing work rate of Liverpool shines through as they hit 247 sprints in this first 53 minutes. That's roughly five a minute. Middlesbrough are on 198.

    So far graft is being rewarded. We are about to see a double change from the home side. 

    Jordan HendersonImage source, Getty Images
  3. Postpublished at 51 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Every single Middlesbrough player bar Alvaro Negredo is behind the ball as Liverpool nudge the ball around in a long spell of possession which ends when Divock Origi tries to force a pass through an impossible gap. He's not exactly Andres Iniesta...

  4. Consistency at last?published at 20:51 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2016

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Middlesbrough celebrateImage source, .
  5. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    That Sadio Mane chance really came from shocking home defending. Nathaniel Clyne did nothing more than pump the ball forward. Ben Gibson got nothing on it and his defensive chums were asleep, allowing Mane to run onto the ball. It could be another key chance wasted by Liverpool but at this rate, Boro will do well to stay in the game if they don't find another gear.

  6. KICK-OFFpublished at 45 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Liverpool start quickly and force a corner which James Milner floats into the hands of Victor Valdes. What on earth are Boro doing here? They instantly get done by a long ball which Sadio Mane turns into something and Valdes has to block a firm shot. The home side are having a kip.

  7. Postpublished at 20:46 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2016

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Liverpool emerge from the tunnel as manager Jurgen Klopp stands and claps his side onto the pitch. What do you reckon? Any chance of a fightback? I'm on #bbcfootball. Come keep me company.

  8. The drought continuespublished at 20:39 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2016

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Middlesbrough only managed four touches in the box in the first half against Liverpool. 

    Remember, Boro have only scored 13 goals this season - a league low. 

    boro touchmap
  9. Quiet nightpublished at 20:39 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2016

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Which player on the pitch has touched the ball less than anyone else?

    Simon MignoletImage source, Getty Images

    What's all the fuss about goalkeepers for eh? Simon Mignolet has had just 14 touches.

  10. Postpublished at 20:34 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2016

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Do they deserve it? Probably just. Jurgen Klopp's side have been that touch more sparky going forward and, as you may expect, they have seen a lot more of the ball than their hosts.

    Middlesbrough 0-1 LiverpoolImage source, .
  11. HALF-TIMEpublished at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2016

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    We reach the interval and the difference is this man. He's been very good at both ends, netting and producing a key block moments later. Liverpool are on their way to a first win in three matches.

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  12. Postpublished at 44 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    When Liverpool pin Middlesbrough back to build attacks they look dangerous as James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne join the advances from full-back positions. Milner crosses over the bar but the threat is there.

  13. HITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 43 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    A potentially key moment as we approach the break as Sadio Mane beats Victor Valdes but not the upright. The Senegal international does everything right as he runs at the last defender and creates enough space on his left peg to shoot across goal. It's not packed with pace but is accurate enough and clunks the foot of the post.

    The ball ends up 18 yards out and Divock Origi fires it low into the side netting. Chance gone.

    Sadio ManeImage source, PA
  14. CLOSE!published at 40 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Liverpool breathe a sigh of relief and have Adam Lallana to thank for a key block. Again it's Adama Traore lighting up Middlesbrough's attack. He pushes the ball past James Milner and takes off like Usain Bolt from the traps. He pauses briefly to pick out a cross and though it evades its target, Adam Forshaw is running onto it at the back post to shoot low. Lallana slides across the goal mouth to divert it wide. Good play all round.

  15. Postpublished at 38 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    While Middlesbrough may be frustrated and a little timid coming forward, they are doing well to nullify key parts of the Liverpool attack. Roberto Firmino has touched the ball just 18 times, Divock Origi 14. That's the two lowest marks for outfield Liverpool players.

    Can Boro compliment their good work at the back by mustering anything at the other end?

    Clyne and FischerImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 36 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    Dejan Lovren does as a good defender should and takes a real crackerjack of a strike flush to the body. He stood and soaked up Adam Forshaw's long-range hit, getting up with a smile.

    Middlesbrough have responded well to going behind. Perhaps the away side are heeding Jurgen Klopp's advice this week that they must not take maximum risks when not necessary. Liverpool would take this scoreline at half time all day long.

  17. Postpublished at 20:19 Greenwich Mean Time 14 December 2016

    Middlesbrough 0-0 Liverpool

    Adam lallanaImage source, Reuters

    Our friends at Opta tell us Adam Lallana has had a hand in 10 goals in 14 Premier League outings this season (5 goals, 5 assists). That's the same number as he achieved in 30 appearances last term. Progress for the England man.

  18. GREAT SAVE!published at 31 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

    They say it's when you've scored you're most vulnerable and Simon Mignolet is forced into a fine one-handed save. Viktor Fischer looked to be a little wide but smashed the ball towards the near post and Mignolet got across well to tip it away from the top bin.

  19. goal

    GOAL - Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpoolpublished at 29 mins

    Adam Lallana

    Jurgen Kopp turns and clenches both fists as the ball hits the net from an Adam Lallana header. It's a slick goal as the Reds work the ball nicely allowing Nathaniel Clyne to pick put a peach of a cross to the back stick where Lallana is arriving at pace to nod the ball low into the net.

    Free-moving, flowing stuff. Liverpool edge ahead.

    Adam LallanaImage source, Reuters
    Adam LallanaImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 26 mins

    Middlesbrough 0-0 Liverpool

    Alvaro Negredo cuts a lonely figure up top when Liverpool have the ball. The Middlesbrough frontman is the only home player who is told not to get behind the ball. Liverpool are faced with a bank of five midfielders and four defenders.

    Middlesbrough 0-0 LiverpoolImage source, Reuters