Liverpool vs Middlesbrough

1. 87'

   'We can see you sneaking out' sing the Liverpool fans but to be honest you can't blame anyone for leaving this one early - it was over 10 minutes after the break

2. 85'

   Gerrard takes the kick himself, 20 yards out and almost central. Poor effort as he burries it into the bottom of the Boro wall

3. 84'

   Powering run forward from Gerrard sees him crowded out and so when he is brushed by Boateng it is inevitable that he falls and earns a free kick. Not a dive but he didn'y take much knocking over

4. 83'

   Finnan tries an angled ball with his weaker foot for Owen lurking with intent in the box but he puts too much on it for the striker to reach

5. 82'

   Liverpool have a free kick, 25 yards away from goal, and play two short passes to get it back to Hamann in the centre circle. They are happy with 2-0

6. 80'

   Deep free kick from the right by Mendieta sees Queudrue challenging in the box but to no avail as Dudek comes away with the ball

7. 79'

   Third substitution for Boro sees Michael Ricketts come on for Job

8. 78'

   A virtual friendly match tempo now with challenges at a premium - the reliable Mills accepted

9. 77'

   If Liverpool win, as it looks almost certain they are now, they will wrestle back fourth spot from Aston Villa who moved there earlier with a victory over Spurs

10. 76'

    Pantomime villan Mills still throwing himself into everything and having a running duel with the Liverpool fans. The most entertaining part of the contest at the moment

11. 74'

    Neat Liverpool move is enlivened by a quick angled cross from Gerrard to pick out Kewell wide left in the box. Stretching volley directs the ball goalwards but Schwarzer stands up well to block

12. 73'

    Zenden tries a shot from 'Lauren Robert' territory with similar consequences. High, wide and still rising when it crossed the goal line

13. 72'

    Great turn by Downing skins Finnan but Hamann - an increasily dominant figure - is there to clean up the mess

14. 71'

    Crowd subdued by the more sterile fare now on offer

15. 70'

    Middlebrough showing the more positive attitude. Nemeth makes a run up to the edge of the box and hits a decent looking effort that causes Dudek to leap to his right and pluck the ball out of the air. Relatively easy save but it was going in

16. 69'

    Liverpool affording Middlesbrough possession in none threatening areas and happy to sit back. A lively game has been killed by the home side going forward. Three points though is what they are interested in and you can't argue with that at this stage of the season

17. 67'

    Downing shows some industry and directness to hit the by-line and get a cross over than no one attacks with the same sort of positive attitude. Dudek collects in his six yard box

18. 66'

    Biggest cheer of the afternoon )almost) as Mills runs on to a lay back on the edge of the Liverpool box and spoons an effort wide in comedy 'defenders can't shoot' fashion

19. 65'

    Liverpool happy to retain possession - stroking the ball across the back for and midfield with little or no intention of moving it forward

20. 63'

    After Liverpool's goals the intensity of the match has rather waned

21. 62'

    Double substitution for Middlesbrough. Riggott and Maccarone go off with Downing and Nemeth entering the fray

22. 61'

    Rare attack from Boro sees Job skip past one challenge to set up a two on two before Hmann tracks back to take the ball off his toes with a perfectly timed challenge from behind

23. 59'

    Great interchange of passes from Liverpool stretches the Boro back line. Flowing football from the Reds but Ehiogu clears the cross from his own penalty spot to deny Owen

24. 58'

    Liverpool playing with more freedom. Wonderful ball from Gerrard sends Riise scurrying down the left. Square ball finds Owen, touch to get it out of his feet and then a curling effort aimed at the top right hand corner. Dipping but always too high

25. 57'

    Pause in play whilst Kewell receives treatment after picking up a knock in a challenge with Mendieta

Leaders

LIVMID

Total Shots

Michael Owen

5

Joseph Desire Job

2

Saves

Jerzy Dudek

9

Mark Schwarzer

9