Two goals at the death from Carragher and Gerrrard earn the Merseysiders all three points in Premier League fixture (2-1)




Fernando Torres’ team claimed an injury-time winner to grab a dramatic victory versus Middlesbrough at Anfield. Torres played 90 minutes of the clash which was not decided until the death.

Liverpool made two changes from the side that beat Sunderland last weekend as Rafa Benitez brought in Martin Skrtel for the injured Sami Hyypia, while Xabi Alonso started in midfield in place of Damien Plessis. Fernando Torres started up front alongside Robbie Keane as the Reds looked for their second win in two.

Torres had the Boro defence on the back foot from the opening minute. The forward cut in from the left before laying the ball off to Kuyt who forced Turnbull into making a great save.

The Anfield number ‘9’ then came close to opening the scoring for the Reds as Torres flicked a header just wide of the Boro goal. The striker grabbed a metre on his marker but could not steer his effort goalwards.

Liverpool’s strike duo almost grabbed a goal before the break. Torres and Keane linked-up well but Torres’ goalbound shot was blocked by a lunging Boro defender.

The Merseysiders started the second half as they did the opening 45 minute period, but they could not find the crucial breakthrough. Boro were defending with eleven men behind the ball looking to hit the home side on the break.

With twenty minutes left Liverpool were made to pay for their failure to score as Middlesbrough took the lead against the run of play. Mido received a pass from Aliadiere before striking an unstoppable shot past Reina into the bottom corner.

Martin Skrtel almost produced an immediate response for the Merseysiders but his strong header from a corner bounced agonisingly wide.

Middlesbrough’s gameplan seemed to be paying off but Liverpool produced an amazing comeback in the dying minutes. The Reds deservedly drew level at the death as Jamie Carragher’s long-shot deflected off Emanuel Pogatetz before beating Turnbull in the Boro goal.

Turnbull produced another brilliant save in stoppage time to save from Gerrard as the Reds surged forward in search of a winner. But as the referee seemed about to blow the final whistle on the Anfield clash, Gerrard smashed home a loose ball from the edge of the box into the top corner to earn the home side all three points. What a strike from the captain!

Standard Liege are Liverpool’s next opponent’s as the Red’s look to seal their place in the group stages of the Champions League. The Reds, who drew 0-0 in Belgium in the first-leg of the third round qualifier a fortnight ago, will need to beat the Belgians in front of a capacity crowd at Anfield.


Match Stats: Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough

Liverpool: Pepe Reina, Andrea Dossena (Fabio Aurelio,75), Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Alvaro Arbeloa (El Zhar, 83) , Yossi Benayoun (Babel, 65), Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Robbie Keane, Fernando Torres

Booked: Arbeloa, Keane

Goals: Carragher 85, Gerrard 93

Middlesbrough: Ross Turnbull, Andrew Taylor (Hoyte, 75), Robert Huth, Emanuel Pogatetz, David Wheater, Stuart Downing, Gary O'Neil, Alfonso Alves, (Mido, 60), Jeremie Aliadiere, Tuncay, Sanli (Digard, 86).

Booked: Mido

Goals: Mido, 70