Liverpool against Middlesbrough

Boro getting a bit tetchy, arguing with the ref. Rochemback (how he's still on the pitch I have no idea) chief among Mr Bennett's detractors.

And another sub! Morientes goes off to a cheer and on in his place comes fellow Spaniard; Josemi.

Change for Boro; Yakubu makes way for Ugo Ehiogu - a sign that Boro are not going to press for the last five minutes.

Chris Riggott is sent off for a second bookable offense. The tackle on Gerrad was crude, but neither dangerous or malicious. A tough one for Riggott to take after having had a great game to this point.

Terrific movement by Liverpool; Morientes releasing Garcia with a great bit of skill after solid work by Gerrard. For his part Garcia brought a smart save out of Schwarzer from a tight angle.

Another Liverpool change; this time Djibril Cisse takes the place of Harry Kewell.

Boro stand tall and defend Liverpool's latest attack - but they fail to hold onto the ball.

Gerrard wins Liverpool a corner - can Morientes grab a hat-trick?

Offside given against Boro.

Kewell goes down like a sack of potatos after being closed down in the penalty area. No interest from the ref, quite rightly.

A booking for Riggott after a full-bloded challenge on Morientes.

Another goal for Morientes; this time a composed finish to lift the ball over the on-rushing Schwarzer after the Spaniard latched onto mis-timed header from Frank Queudrue. Boro unlucky, but a quality finish.

Goal for Liverpool!!

Here's a change, finally, for Boro. Off goes Morrison who almost scored a moment ago, and on comes Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The Scousers again cheer Hyypia who heads the croner clear - despite his bandages!

Hyypia returns to the game with his head heavily bandanged - the Anfield crowd cheer his brave return.

Reina makes a vital stop to deny Boro a goal from their best attack of the game. Viduka slipped Morrison a return ball and Morrison can consider himself very unlucky. Corner ball.

Morientes takes a touch in the box and turns before striking the ball home. A trademark rampaging run from Gerrard created space for Garcia on the right, he clipped a ball into the box, Gerrard flicked the ball toward Morientes, who did the rest.

Goal for Liverpoool!

The keeper launches the ball long and the game is back on.

Now there is some confusion between the two sets of players as to how to re-start the game. The ref says drop ball, but will it be contested or given over to the keeper. Come lads, sort it out.

Hyypia leaves the pitch to take some stiches to a cut on his head; Boateng is off taking some treatment.

A nasty clash of heads results from the corner. Hyypia and Boateng both go down and need treatment.

Corner to Liverpool - Schwarzer thought he'd been fouled, but not many others agreed; especially Kewell who wrestles the ball from his countryman and both share a grin.

Luis Garcia drops a pass just short of Gerrard - good work by Boatend tracking back.

Kewell over-runs an attacking dribble on the left; more frustration.

Here's the Liverpool change; Garcia on for Crouch, who is treated to warm ovation from the Kop.

A yellow card for Sissoko and Matthew Bates after a dangerous tackle by the former and some retribution by the latter.

Boro are having a good spell, they are battling well and getting some time on the ball in the middle as a result.

Movement on the Liverpool bench Luis Garcia is readying himself for action.

The Liverpool players have a moan at the ref who misses a tough corner decision.

Very nasty collision between Alonso and Yakubu. Yak won the ball on the byline, but his foot ended on top of Alsonso's knee. The Spaniard is unhappy, Yak is apologetic - no malice meant, but not nice.

Gerrard falls in the Boro area after trying to beat one too many players and the visitors break; but the Liverpool defenders tidy up.

Riise cuts out a pass aimed at James Morrison on the right wing for Boro.

Boro try to work the ball forward on the deck but Rochemback and Doriva can't find a way through the Liverpool middle and are forced to play it back, where the defenders resort to lumping the ball long - leading to Liverpool winning the ball.

It must be frustratnig being a Kewell fan, or a Liverpool fan - the Aussie is showing in snatches what he is capable of, but it happens so in-frequently. Bring back the Kewell of his Leeds years.

All Liverpool - Schwarzer doing just enough to deny Kewell's outrageous effort from outside the box. Great thinking and technique from Kewell.

Southgate reads the Liverpool attack perfectly, defending the pass from Crouch for Morientes.

Gerrard gets a freekick after being double-teamed by Boro.

Rochemback goes to ground looking for a freekick after loosing possession - time for him to leave the game, methinks.

The Kop are outraged - they think Matthew Bates has fouled Crouch in the area and want a penalty. Ahead of the shout Morientes had brought a fine save from Schwarzer with a low drive. The pressure is mounting from Liverpool.

Gerrard takes the corner, clipping it to Riise on the edge of the box; Riise connects with a first-time volley which was only just off-target. It would have been 'goal of the season'!

An excellent measured ball from Alonso finds Gerrard who wins a corner.

The Reds' latest attack ends with Riise firing into the Kop.

Yakubu muscled off the ball, again by three players. The ball breaks kindly for Liverpool and they probe the right flank.

Very bright start to the second half. Liverpool attempt to remind Boro that they were the better side in the first half be ripping up the pitch on a counter-attack, but Morientes ball to Kewell is too slow and Boro clear.

No changes by either side at the break, I would have dropped Rochemback like a bad habit... as I type he releases Viduka and Liverpool are lucky to escape without conceding. So what do I know!!

Back underway at Anfield (and I'm still starving).

As for the next 45 - that's what's coming next after the ref blows for the half. A good game, decent action, but it's all Liverpool - a tweak here and there from Rafa and we should have some goals. Keep it here to find out!

Fabio Rochemback is not having a great game for Boro - Liverpool are winning everything in the middle leaving Rochemback isolated and out of the game and he's not showing enough strength when he does get it, or enough fight when not in possession. I reckon he'll be off for the next 45.

Riise switches it to Gerrard who crosses into the box where Riggott and Southgate battled hard to deny Morientes and Crouch; good defending.

More sweet passing form Alsono, this time feeding it to Kewell, who in turn passed Riise.

Alonso collects a loose ball and presses it back to his defenders as the Reds look to start again.

Great move from Liverpool ends in a weak header from Sissoko; best move of the game: Riise and Finnan with cross-field passes and dink to the back post finding Sissoko, but it was at the wrong height to connect with power.

Hyypia collects a loose pass meant for Viduka and spread the ball left to Riise - great defending and great use of the ball afterwards.

Liverpool are on top, but are not quite running as smoothly as they'd like. Room for improvement, if Rafa can sort it out at halftime they could win this.

Gareth Southgate tries his luck from 30-yards out after collecting a bouncing ball on the halfway line and running in on goal - a decent shot only jsut wide.

Gerrard crashes into the advertising boards after chasing an over-hit ball from Alonso.

Good work-rate from Yakubu today - tracking back to try and tackle Finnan on the halfway line.

Another interesting move from Liverpool, Kewell again involved and looking a bit sharper than usual. Eventually the ref gives a foul against Crouch.

Xabi Alonso fires the freekick into the wall and it hits Kewell and goes out for a goal-kick.

Gerrard and Morientes link-up neatly and the Spaniard turns, runs and releases Kewell, who is brought down in a central position - freekick, in a dangerous place.

Riise with a last-ditch header to deny Yakubu - a smart bit of defending there; and it needed to be.

Sissoko looking good today - reprising his role from Stamford Bridge earlier this week. He is always there or there-abouts, with good marking, solid tackling and excellent passing so far.

Another Finnan cross from the right wing (he is playing a very advanced role today), but the ball is cleared.

Decent ball in by Finnan for Crouch, who under-pressure from Riggott fails to threaten after connecting with the cross.

Morientes leaps highest, but doesn't get the purchase he needs on the ball and the keeper saves. But again Boro loose the ball and Liverpool again look to build.

Great work from Liverpool - corner ball...

Liverpool up the pace as they sense Boro are over-committing on their attacks.

Doriva tries his luck with a volley from the edge of the box, but he aimed into the turf first and Jose Reina took the ball comfortably in the end.

A superb tackle by Sissoko releases Kewell and Liverpool pour forward; before Boro get back in numbers and snuff out the attack before a shot can be fired.

Boro soak-up the pressure and break towards the Kop, eventually Viduka is squeezed out by Finnan, Hyypia and Gerrard.

The ball is hoiked into the Boro box, Crouch misses it, the three defenders miss it but Morientes can't quite control his header, but Schwarzer is forced to tip the effort over.

Good, determined work down the left by Riise.

Surprise, surprisel; the ball was lofted in and aimed at Peter Crouch. How inventive... must try harder.

Here we go: a corner to Liverpool after a decent spell of pressure.

Queudrue hoists a thoughtless clearance away from his goal after Crouch failed to control a freekick aimed at him.

There is still not enough possession by either time - the home fans are getting a bit irritated; being as they are, fans of the ball on the deck and into feet.

Morientes and Kewell exchange the ball on the Liverpool left wing, but Boro's young right-back Matthew Bates is alert to the danger.

Nothing's happening. Shall we talk about the World Cup some more? Ok, maybe not. Carragher and Finnan combine to clear a move by Boro ending with a Viduka knockdown for Viduka.

Speaking of the World Cup, Boro keeper Schwarzer will be facing sterner goal threat at the Finals than Crouch - Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Baptista, Kaka. It'll be grand; but back to today...

Southgate closes the door to Morientes after a knockdown from Crouch.

So, the World Cup draw, eh? Very exciting. Only 181 days to go!

Great challenge by Chris Riggott prevents Gerrard from causing too much trouble for the Boro defence.

Stray passes on both sides mean there is a high turnover of possession at Anfield, but neither side has capitalised on the other's profligacy.

Hyypia misses a knock-down from Viduka aimed at Yakubu, byt Carragher tidies up.

Great header won under-pressure by Steve Finnan as Liverpool win control of the game.

Hyypia and Alonso double-team Yakubu preventing him from finding the time and space he craved on the edge of the box.

I'm starving - should have got some food before the game started. You live and learn...

A few meaty challenges flying in as the two midfields attempt to win control of the match after the opening salvos.

Liverpool's backline pushing up quite high, the home fans will see that as a sign of attacking intent - as has been evident so far. The risk is that Yakubu will spring the offside trap and get in behind, that will be less of a problem for the more hefty Viduka!

Boro try to wrest control of the game back from the home side, Yakubu just failing to find Mark Viduka with a pass in-field.

Another effort from Liverpool, out of the blocks with intent it seems today. Again Gerrard with a shot, this time his swerving effort from range was on target and brought a smart enough save from Mark Schwarzer.

Back to the team news; Middlesbrough have Emanuel Pogatetz back on the bench after a minor knock, but Stuart Parnaby and Gaizka Mendieta miss out with muscle strains. a nine-match unbeaten run. Middlesbrough had Emanuel Pogatetz back on the bench after a minor knock, but Stuart Parnaby and Gaizka Mendieta were both still out with muscle strains.

Nice move by Liverpool again, the ball worked across the box and ending up in the crowd after a Steven Gerrard shot flew wide.

Liverpool are resting Luis Garcia and Djimi Traore after the Champions League draw at Chelsea. Also missing from that side Didi Hamann, still suffering from heavy bruising after being attacked, sorry, tackled by Michael Essien.

An early move by Liverpool; Morientes trying to release everyone's favourite beanpole, Peter Crouch.

Ok folks, referee Steve Bennett blows his whistle and we're underway

And for Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Bates, Southgate, Riggott, Queudrue, Morrison, Doriva, Boateng, Rochemback, Viduka, Yakubu. On the bench:Pogatetz, Hasselbaink, Ehiogu, Jones, Johnson.

The Liverpool team: Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Morientes and Crouch. The subs: Dudek, Cisse,Luis Garcia, Josemi, Warnock.

Hyypia returns to the game with his head heavily bandanged - the Anfield crowd cheer his brave return.

Reina makes a vital stop to deny Boro a goal from their best attack of the game. Viduka slipped Morrison a return ball and Morrison can consider himself very unlucky. Corner ball.

Morientes takes a touch in the box and turns before striking the ball home. A trademark rampaging run from Gerrard created space for Garcia on the right, he clipped a ball into the box, Gerrard flicked the ball toward Morientes, who did the rest.

Goal for Liverpoool!

The keeper launches the ball long and the game is back on.

Now there is some confusion between the two sets of players as to how to re-start the game. The ref says drop ball, but will it be contested or given over to the keeper. Come lads, sort it out.

Hyypia leaves the pitch to take some stiches to a cut on his head; Boateng is off taking some treatment.

A nasty clash of heads results from the corner. Hyypia and Boateng both go down and need treatment.

Corner to Liverpool - Schwarzer thought he'd been fouled, but not many others agreed; especially Kewell who wrestles the ball from his countryman and both share a grin.

Luis Garcia drops a pass just short of Gerrard - good work by Boatend tracking back.

Kewell over-runs an attacking dribble on the left; more frustration.

Here's the Liverpool change; Garcia on for Crouch, who is treated to warm ovation from the Kop.

A yellow card for Sissoko and Matthew Bates after a dangerous tackle by the former and some retribution by the latter.

Boro are having a good spell, they are battling well and getting some time on the ball in the middle as a result.

Movement on the Liverpool bench Luis Garcia is readying himself for action.

The Liverpool players have a moan at the ref who misses a tough corner decision.

Very nasty collision between Alonso and Yakubu. Yak won the ball on the byline, but his foot ended on top of Alsonso's knee. The Spaniard is unhappy, Yak is apologetic - no malice meant, but not nice.

Gerrard falls in the Boro area after trying to beat one too many players and the visitors break; but the Liverpool defenders tidy up.

Riise cuts out a pass aimed at James Morrison on the right wing for Boro.

Boro try to work the ball forward on the deck but Rochemback and Doriva can't find a way through the Liverpool middle and are forced to play it back, where the defenders resort to lumping the ball long - leading to Liverpool winning the ball.

It must be frustratnig being a Kewell fan, or a Liverpool fan - the Aussie is showing in snatches what he is capable of, but it happens so in-frequently. Bring back the Kewell of his Leeds years.

All Liverpool - Schwarzer doing just enough to deny Kewell's outrageous effort from outside the box. Great thinking and technique from Kewell.

Southgate reads the Liverpool attack perfectly, defending the pass from Crouch for Morientes.

Gerrard gets a freekick after being double-teamed by Boro.

Rochemback goes to ground looking for a freekick after loosing possession - time for him to leave the game, methinks.

The Kop are outraged - they think Matthew Bates has fouled Crouch in the area and want a penalty. Ahead of the shout Morientes had brought a fine save from Schwarzer with a low drive. The pressure is mounting from Liverpool.

Gerrard takes the corner, clipping it to Riise on the edge of the box; Riise connects with a first-time volley which was only just off-target. It would have been 'goal of the season'!

An excellent measured ball from Alonso finds Gerrard who wins a corner.

The Reds' latest attack ends with Riise firing into the Kop.

Yakubu muscled off the ball, again by three players. The ball breaks kindly for Liverpool and they probe the right flank.

Very bright start to the second half. Liverpool attempt to remind Boro that they were the better side in the first half be ripping up the pitch on a counter-attack, but Morientes ball to Kewell is too slow and Boro clear.

No changes by either side at the break, I would have dropped Rochemback like a bad habit... as I type he releases Viduka and Liverpool are lucky to escape without conceding. So what do I know!!

Back underway at Anfield (and I'm still starving).

As for the next 45 - that's what's coming next after the ref blows for the half. A good game, decent action, but it's all Liverpool - a tweak here and there from Rafa and we should have some goals. Keep it here to find out!

Fabio Rochemback is not having a great game for Boro - Liverpool are winning everything in the middle leaving Rochemback isolated and out of the game and he's not showing enough strength when he does get it, or enough fight when not in possession. I reckon he'll be off for the next 45.

Riise switches it to Gerrard who crosses into the box where Riggott and Southgate battled hard to deny Morientes and Crouch; good defending.

More sweet passing form Alsono, this time feeding it to Kewell, who in turn passed Riise.

Alonso collects a loose ball and presses it back to his defenders as the Reds look to start again.

Great move from Liverpool ends in a weak header from Sissoko; best move of the game: Riise and Finnan with cross-field passes and dink to the back post finding Sissoko, but it was at the wrong height to connect with power.

Hyypia collects a loose pass meant for Viduka and spread the ball left to Riise - great defending and great use of the ball afterwards.

Liverpool are on top, but are not quite running as smoothly as they'd like. Room for improvement, if Rafa can sort it out at halftime they could win this.

Gareth Southgate tries his luck from 30-yards out after collecting a bouncing ball on the halfway line and running in on goal - a decent shot only jsut wide.

Gerrard crashes into the advertising boards after chasing an over-hit ball from Alonso.

Good work-rate from Yakubu today - tracking back to try and tackle Finnan on the halfway line.

Another interesting move from Liverpool, Kewell again involved and looking a bit sharper than usual. Eventually the ref gives a foul against Crouch.

Xabi Alonso fires the freekick into the wall and it hits Kewell and goes out for a goal-kick.

Gerrard and Morientes link-up neatly and the Spaniard turns, runs and releases Kewell, who is brought down in a central position - freekick, in a dangerous place.

Riise with a last-ditch header to deny Yakubu - a smart bit of defending there; and it needed to be.

Sissoko looking good today - reprising his role from Stamford Bridge earlier this week. He is always there or there-abouts, with good marking, solid tackling and excellent passing so far.

Another Finnan cross from the right wing (he is playing a very advanced role today), but the ball is cleared.

Decent ball in by Finnan for Crouch, who under-pressure from Riggott fails to threaten after connecting with the cross.

Morientes leaps highest, but doesn't get the purchase he needs on the ball and the keeper saves. But again Boro loose the ball and Liverpool again look to build.

Great work from Liverpool - corner ball...

Liverpool up the pace as they sense Boro are over-committing on their attacks.

Doriva tries his luck with a volley from the edge of the box, but he aimed into the turf first and Jose Reina took the ball comfortably in the end.

A superb tackle by Sissoko releases Kewell and Liverpool pour forward; before Boro get back in numbers and snuff out the attack before a shot can be fired.

Boro soak-up the pressure and break towards the Kop, eventually Viduka is squeezed out by Finnan, Hyypia and Gerrard.

The ball is hoiked into the Boro box, Crouch misses it, the three defenders miss it but Morientes can't quite control his header, but Schwarzer is forced to tip the effort over.

Good, determined work down the left by Riise.

Surprise, surprisel; the ball was lofted in and aimed at Peter Crouch. How inventive... must try harder.

Here we go: a corner to Liverpool after a decent spell of pressure.

Queudrue hoists a thoughtless clearance away from his goal after Crouch failed to control a freekick aimed at him.

There is still not enough possession by either time - the home fans are getting a bit irritated; being as they are, fans of the ball on the deck and into feet.

Morientes and Kewell exchange the ball on the Liverpool left wing, but Boro's young right-back Matthew Bates is alert to the danger.

Nothing's happening. Shall we talk about the World Cup some more? Ok, maybe not. Carragher and Finnan combine to clear a move by Boro ending with a Viduka knockdown for Viduka.

Speaking of the World Cup, Boro keeper Schwarzer will be facing sterner goal threat at the Finals than Crouch - Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Baptista, Kaka. It'll be grand; but back to today...

Southgate closes the door to Morientes after a knockdown from Crouch.

So, the World Cup draw, eh? Very exciting. Only 181 days to go!

Great challenge by Chris Riggott prevents Gerrard from causing too much trouble for the Boro defence.

Stray passes on both sides mean there is a high turnover of possession at Anfield, but neither side has capitalised on the other's profligacy.

Hyypia misses a knock-down from Viduka aimed at Yakubu, byt Carragher tidies up.

Great header won under-pressure by Steve Finnan as Liverpool win control of the game.

Hyypia and Alonso double-team Yakubu preventing him from finding the time and space he craved on the edge of the box.

I'm starving - should have got some food before the game started. You live and learn...

A few meaty challenges flying in as the two midfields attempt to win control of the match after the opening salvos.

Liverpool's backline pushing up quite high, the home fans will see that as a sign of attacking intent - as has been evident so far. The risk is that Yakubu will spring the offside trap and get in behind, that will be less of a problem for the more hefty Viduka!

Boro try to wrest control of the game back from the home side, Yakubu just failing to find Mark Viduka with a pass in-field.

Another effort from Liverpool, out of the blocks with intent it seems today. Again Gerrard with a shot, this time his swerving effort from range was on target and brought a smart enough save from Mark Schwarzer.

Back to the team news; Middlesbrough have Emanuel Pogatetz back on the bench after a minor knock, but Stuart Parnaby and Gaizka Mendieta miss out with muscle strains. a nine-match unbeaten run. Middlesbrough had Emanuel Pogatetz back on the bench after a minor knock, but Stuart Parnaby and Gaizka Mendieta were both still out with muscle strains.

Nice move by Liverpool again, the ball worked across the box and ending up in the crowd after a Steven Gerrard shot flew wide.

Liverpool are resting Luis Garcia and Djimi Traore after the Champions League draw at Chelsea. Also missing from that side Didi Hamann, still suffering from heavy bruising after being attacked, sorry, tackled by Michael Essien.

An early move by Liverpool; Morientes trying to release everyone's favourite beanpole, Peter Crouch.

Ok folks, referee Steve Bennett blows his whistle and we're underway

And for Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Bates, Southgate, Riggott, Queudrue, Morrison, Doriva, Boateng, Rochemback, Viduka, Yakubu. On the bench:Pogatetz, Hasselbaink, Ehiogu, Jones, Johnson.

The Liverpool team: Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Morientes and Crouch. The subs: Dudek, Cisse,Luis Garcia, Josemi, Warnock.