Middlesbrough's most lively area of attack is certainly the right flank occupied by Adama Traore. He's been solid enough without setting the world alight but as the graphic shows, Aitor Karanka's side seem to like using that side of the pitch.

Image source, .

The closest we have come to a goal as Ben Gibson meets a free-kick to head low at goal, well held by Simon Mignolet. James Milner had conceded a sloppy free-kick.

Viktor Fischer chases a high ball into the box for Middlesbrough and loops it over the head of Dejan Lovren in the type of style which would have pleased the Cantonas and Le Tissiers of this world. It's a good job Ragnar Klavan is alert as he backs up his central defensive partner as Fischer neared goal.

Image source, Reuters

Sadio Mane goes down right on the edge of the area and looks at the referee...nothing doing. He'd squeezed between two defenders and got in a tangle but in truth it looked like he was already on his way down. Liverpool suddenly enjoy a spell of territory. A neat one-two gets Nathaniel Clyne in behind the full-back and his low cross is zippy... cleared. Divock Origi from range... blocked.

A healthy festive atmosphere at the Riverside by no ear plugs needed, some smatterings of singing here and there but certainly not anything to threaten the ear drums. 

Fabio has a shot from range for the home side, weak and held by Simon Mignolet.

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Middlesbrough graft well as Adam Lallana again looks for shooting space 20 yards out. They deny him the chance and force Liverpool to keep possession. There are eight red shirts behind the ball which eventually finds itself to the offside Divock Origi. Good shape from Boro. We know their defence is solid, it's at the other end where they struggle.

Colin Todd: Amazing the criticism Mignolet still gets from fans. How many times did he play behind Moreno and makeshift defence?

Nick Hughes: Karius will be one of the best keepers. Mignolet does not have Klopp's confidence or he'd have played more games.

Image source, Reuters

Postpublished at 14 mins

14 mins

Middlesbrough 0-0 Liverpool

Marten de Roon leaves Jordan Henderson in a pile on the floor, he left a little bit on the Liverpool skipper there. No booking.

Marten de Roon is slipped through for the home side but Ragnar Klavan always has five yards on him and passes back to Simon Mignolet. He hoofs clear and gets jeered by the home fans. The ball is changing hands quickly and Jurgen Klopp is asking his team for more, waving frantically on the touchline.

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Adama Traore looks like a man who lifts some serious metal in the gym. Short in height, wide at the shoulders, he's got some beef. A swagger from the former Barcelona man as Jordan Henderson has to chase hard to stop him in his tracks. An even start here as we tick towards 10 minutes.

Image source, Reuters

Anyone remember the days of Alvaro Negredo being dubbed 'the new Alan Shearer' by Robbie Savage? It wasn't all that long ago. 

Negredo is a grafter, I like him. He chases a lost cause and forces Dejan Lovren to slide the ball out for a throw deep in Liverpool territory. It looks simple and isn't eye catching but ultimately without Negredo's work rate there Liverpool would just win back possession easily.

Adam Lallana picks the ball up in the final third, right side. He wants to fashion space to let fly. Pushed onto his left peg he will get the chance... good hit... blocked by Calum Chambers. That will sting!

Image source, Reuters

Liverpool suddenly bright down the right flank as Sadio Mane's clever ball around the corner puts Georginio Wijnaldum into acres. Time to lift his head and pick out a man? Not quite, Ben Gibson slides to concede the corner and that may well have been a key intervention.

Image source, Reuters

Interestingly, a poll in the Liverpool Echo this week saw fans vote, external in favour of Mignolet between the sticks. The Belgium international took 63% of the vote.

How does he stack up this season? Eight outings, two clean sheets - they came against Leeds and Burton though. 

The sides settle, a long Victor Valdes kick is contested by Alvaro Negredo and Ragnar Klavan. The defender wins the duel and Nathaniel Clyne is released. He takes off down the right, delivery, catch for Valdes. Good tempo.

A good start by the home side as Adama Traore does what he does, attacking the full-back and forcing a corner off James Milner.

Boro fans like Traore, he has pace in abundance so they'll be thrilled to see him make a sixth league start.

So this live text, as you know, will bring you everything that happens at the Riverside Stadium. I want you with me all the way, but if you need to bob out briefly, give our main live text a go as that one includes what's going on around the grounds.

Just click here for goodness.

We have teams in the tunnel and out strides referee Jonathan Moss to do that slightly cheesy thing of collecting the ball from its podium. The handshakes, the formalities, yadda, yadda. Let's get things on, gents.

A red and white flag is passed around by fans, two red stripes either side of a white one, with the word "BORO" on it. It's far from intimidating, it's hardly an Olympiakos-style flare show - but still, it's effort.

MJC1973: Mignolet has disappointed consistently over three years, Karius only over 2 months. Don't agree with change but in Jurgen we trust.

Rob James: Good call by Klopp, Mignolet a much better keeper than Karius, prone to errors yes but look at his clean sheet ratio.

Image source, Reuters