Middlesbrough 0 Liverpool 0

A THIRD successive home clean sheet for Boro coupled with another blank away from home for Liverpool, saw this evening's game end in stalemate, writes GORDON COX from the Riverside...

Stewart Downing missed the game with a groin problem, while Lee Cattermole was only fit enough to start on the substitute's bench after suffering with a dead-leg and tonsillitis most of the week.

Julio Arca and Jason Euell were restored to the starting line-up.

Rafa Benitez made three changes from the side that lost at Arsenal, Sami Hyypia, Peter Crouch and Bolo Zenden dropping to the bench replaced by Daniel Agger, Jermaine Pennant and Craig Bellamy.

Steven Gerrard began the game in central midfield and it was the visitors who made the better start, Mark Gonzalez testing Mark Schwarzer with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

With Boro playing with Yakubu as the solitary striker, Liverpool were allowed to build patiently from the back, allowed too much room.

But the midfield area was keenly contested and defensively Boro were strong.

However, a mistake from Andrew Davies just inside the Liverpool half could have proved costly as he lost possession to Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard raced towards the edge of the Boro penalty area and fed Dirk Kuyt, whose low shot was deflected for a corner.

A low cross from Jason Euell was parried one-handed by Jose Reina as an open game swung to the other end.

Back in Boro's half a long ball from Gerrard caused problems, Bellamy chested down to Kuyt, who struck just wide from 12 yards.

A slip from Gerrard allowed James Morrison the chance to create a chance for Davies to cross but a low delivery deflected off John Arne Riise for a corner.

Pennant brought a smart save at his near post from Schwarzer with a low drive. The former Arsenal man switched wings with Gonzalez a couple of times during the first half but it was Kuyt who was the biggest threat, his running off the ball and overall work-rate outstanding.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 0 Liverpool 0

Gareth Southgate was forced into making a change during the break as the injured Davies stayed in the dressing room and was replaced by Robert Huth.

Boro made a positive start to the second half and ought to have taken the lead seven minutes into it.

Yakubu played a fine, low ball out wide to Morrison deep in the Liverpool half. A good cross picked out Euell, whose header from eight yards brought a one-handed save from Reina. The ball fell to Yakubu but he completely missed it in front of an open goal on the edge of the six-yard box.

But Liverpool settled to create chances of their own, Agger creating one for himself with 58 minutes played when striking a 30-yard thunderbolt towards Schwarzer's top-left-hand corner, the goalkeeper doing well to keep it out.

A superb right-wing cross from Gerrard picked out Gonzalez seep inside the penalty area and it needed another good stop from Schwarzer at his hear post to prevent a crisply struck low volley from going in.

George Boateng had been struggling for a while before he was forced off through injury to be replaced by Cattermole, with the captain's armband handed to Jonathan Woodgate.

Fans' favourite Massimo Maccarone was introduced to a good reception, although the decision to take Morrison off was met with boos.

A good pace to the game continued throughout, though it was Liverpool who looked the more likely to break the deadlock. They almost did so eight minutes from time when Crouch rose to meet a left-wing cross and loop a header over Schwarzer but Woodgate was on hand to superbly head off the line.

In the final minute of injury time Crouch again rose high to head for goal, Schwarzer grabbing on the goal-line.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Davies (Huth 46), Woodgate (Capt. after 71 minutes), Pogatetz, Taylor, Boateng (Capt) (Cattermole 71), Morrison (Maccarone 76), Euell, Rochemback, Arca, Yakubu. Unused subs: Jones (gk); Mendieta.

Liverpool: Reina; Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Pennant, Gonzalez (Zenden 84), Bellamy, Kuyt (Crouch 78). Unused subs: Dudek (gk); Hyypia, Paletta.

Referee: Lee Mason, Lancashire.

Bookings

Middlesbrough: None

Liverpool: None

Attendance: 31,424

Conditions: Clear, cold and breezy.

Website Boro Man of the Match: Jonathan Woodgate