Football Update

Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool

Second top Liverpool took on second bottom Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium this afternoon. The last time Liverpool won a game at the Middlesbrough was in March 2002 in a 2-1 victory in which Gareth Southgate scored for the home side. His Middlesbrough side hasn’t won a Premier League game since November.

Both teams began the game trying to play in a direct manner and this resulted in chances at both ends in quick succession. Liverpool forward Nabil El Zhar tested keeper Brad Jones with a powerful strike from the right-hand side of the box after being played through by Dirk Kuyt.

Middlesbrough responded through Gary O’Neil. Tuncay Sanil released Stewart Downing on the left, the England wide man whipped the ball into the penalty area. O’Neil ran across full-back Fabio Aurelio and did well to get his foot to the ball, but his effort was comfortably saved by Pepe Reina.

Aureilo was then involved at the other end in the 14th minute, he was allowed to cross the ball into the area and he found Kuyt on the penalty spot. The Dutchman’s first touch was good but his strike was straight at Jones who managed to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

It was shaping up as a good game, Liverpool looking comfortable in possession with Middlesbrough looking lively on the break. It was the home side that took the lead in the 32nd minute from a corner. Downing delivered the ball into the box, Martin Skrtel missed his header and the ball bounced off Xabi Alonso’s thigh and into the Liverpool net. It was Middlesbrough’s first goal in nearly nine hours of league football.

Middlesbrough were on the ascendancy, a tactical reshuffle from Southgate seemed to be paying dividends and the home side were attacking Skertel, playing right-back, at every opportunity. The 41st minute saw Downing skip past a lame Skertel challenge to force a save from Reina low to his left.

The second half saw Liverpool resume their dominance. Steven Gerrard, making his 300th league start for Liverpool, drove down the left five minutes into the half and cut back to El Zhar who was eight yards from goal. The young French forward skied his effort over the bar when it was easier to score. It was a glorious chance to equalise.

Liverpool were made to pay for this missed opportunity as it was Middlesbrough that extended their lead on the 64th minute. A Liverpool attack broke down and the home side strung quickly on the break. O’Neil launched a ball over the top for Jeremie Alladiere who got in behind Sami Hyypia, the former Arsenal forward cut the ball back to Tuncay who made no mistake, slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

The visitors were on the ropes but they responded with a series of chances, Gerrard the architect as Alonso tried to redeem for his own goal, but his snapshot was deflected wide. Minutes later Gerrard crossed for Kuyt but the Dutch international couldn’t quite connect at the back post. Middlesbrough were defending heroically.

Middlesbrough continued to utilise the counterattack to good effect, Tuncay crossed beautifully for substitute Marlon King at the back post. The on-loan Wigan forward struck the ball well but it didn’t have enough power or accuracy to beat Reina who saved.

Things went from bad to worse for Liverpool, Gerrard hobbled off on the 78th minute and Jamie Carragher had already been removed. Middlesbrough almost extended their lead further, Downing crossed the ball to the far post from the left and O’Neil’s volley was just wide of the target. It would be been a fantastic goal.

Substitute Lucas Leiva wastes a good opportunity five minutes from time when he was all alone 12 yards from goal but he was in two minds as to whether to cross or shoot and ended up doing neither. It was woeful football from the Brazilian.

King could have made the result even more emphatic in extra time, he had the ball in the net but Emanuel Pogatetz delayed just a fraction too long before releasing the forward. It was the home side looking more likely in the dying stages.

The result is even more shocking as Middlesbrough had gone 14 without a win before today. Only West Bromwich Albion have endured a similar baron run and went on to remain in the top flight. Southgate will be hoping his side can use this result as a springboard as they climb out of the relegation zone. Liverpool meanwhile drop into third position in the league as their title challenge fades into the smog on Riverside.

Owen Watson