Goals from Tuncay and Xabi Alonso (OG) confided Liverpool to a 2-0 defeat in Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon. The Reds failed to convert a host of chances against Gareth Southgate's relegation-battlers and remain seven points adrift of leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand.

To make matters worse for Rafa Benitez, the returning Steven Gerrard was withdrawn with 15 minutes remaining after appearing to pick up a knock.

Liverpool may have entered this game on the back of a famous victory in the Bernabeu, but they were without a win at the Riverside since 2002. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, hadn't won a league match in 14. Something had to give.

Gerrard's return from a hamstring tear had been a major plus for Benitez, who made four changes from the side that beat Real Madrid. With Alvaro Arbeloa and Fernando Torres injured, Sami Hyypia and Ryan Babel came in, while Nabil El Zhar was handed a first league start.

The visitors began brightly enough, carving out three excellent chances in the opening quarter of an hour.

The first fell to El Zhar on eight minutes after a neat one-two with Dirk Kuyt. A goal looked certain but the Morocco international blasted too close to Brad Jones from 10 yards. The rebound dropped first to Babel, then Kuyt; both failed to capitalise.

Kuyt was presented with an even better opportunity minutes later when Hyypia spotted Fabio Aurelio's surge down the left. The Brazilian sent in one of his bending crosses, which Kuyt controlled before lashing the ball towards the top corner. Again Jones was smart to it.

Next, Babel found himself on the end of a well-worked move but the angle of his shot meant the goalkeeper was always favourite.

Liverpool were firmly on top but had nothing to show for it. A snapshot from Gerrard hit the side netting, while Alonso tried his luck from 25 yards. Still no breakthrough.

The Riverside DJ played Let Me Entertain You as the sides made their way onto the pitch; not that Southgate's players took the hint. They mustered just a single goalscoring opportunity prior to their breakthrough when Gary O'Neil beat Aurelio to Stuart Downing's cross only to be denied by a reflex save from Pepe Reina.

All the more sickening for a raucous travelling Kop, then, when Alonso deflected a Downing corner in his own net after 31 minutes.

Downing forced another save from Reina from the edge of the box before Rob Styles blew for half-time, but it was Liverpool who showed all the initiative with no reward.

Martin Skrtel, operating in an unfamiliar role on the right of Liverpool's defence, was first to threaten straight after the restart with an ambitious effort which sailed over.

Seconds later, Gerrard burst into the Middlesbrough box before putting a goal on a plate for El Zhar, who dropped his head in disappointment after shooting over from 10 yards.

A short corner between Gerrard and El Zhar which broke down due to an offside summed up what was becoming a very frustrating afternoon for Benitez's men.

Things were about to go from bad to worse on 63 minutes when Ryan Babel conceded possession, allowing Jeremie Aliadiere to ghost behind Liverpool's defence before cutting back to Tuncay, who finished with aplomb.

The Reds almost clawed one back when Gerrard bombed through the home rearguard and crossed to Kuyt, who missed an open goal.

A fantastic save was required from Reina to deny substitute Marlon King on 73 minutes, by which stage it was clear Liverpool's miserable record at the Riverside was going to continue.

Substitute Ngog spurned a free header in injury time, but it would have been academic.

News of Chelsea's victory over Wigan filtered through as referee Styles put an end to a miserable afternoon for Liverpool, who drop to third in the Premier League.


- Match stats:

Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, O’Neil, Bates, Arca (Walker 87’), Downing, Sanli (Johnson 79’), Aliadiere (King 66’).

Liverpool FC: Reina, Carragher (Benayoun 71’), Skrtel, Hyypia, Fabio Aurelio, El Zhar (Ngog 66’), Mascherano, Alonso, Babel, Kuyt, Gerrard (Leiva 76’).

Goals:

1-0 (31’) Xabi Alonso O.G.
2-0 (63’) Tuncai Sanli.

Text & photo by: www.liverpoolfc.tv