Live Updates
  • Adam Lallana heads home opener for Liverpool.
  • Divock Origi doubles lead with fifth goal in as many games.
  • Lallana makes it three with a simple finish.
  • Liverpool replace Arsenal in second.
  • Loris Karius dropped after a succession of mistakes. Simon Mignolet deputises.
  • Boro' drop to 17th, three points above relegation zone.

Well that is about all we have time for on this Premier League live text. We're back with full coverage of all the weekend fixtures, including the Merseyside derby on Monday [19 December] but until then it's goodnight.

Full time: Middlesbrough 0-3 Liverpool

Perhaps as routine a win as you'll see from any Premier League team this season. Jurgen Klopp's men go second ahead of the Merseyside derby after goals from Adam Lallana either side of Divock Origi's fifth goal in as many games secured the most comfortable of victories. For Middlesbrough, they drop to 17th and are three points off the relegation zone. Aitor Karanka needs to think again.

Three minutes added on at the Riverside. Trent Alexander-Arnold on for his Premier League debut for Liverpool.

Divock Origi down for Liverpool. Is their ideal evening about to be soured?

Chants of 'for the 96, justice' ring out from the Liverpool end at the Riverside, a song which is greeted by a round of applause from the Middlesbrough fans. Very pleasant between both sets of fans, but that is as close as it has been tonight.

The visitors celebrate extending their lead at the Riverside.

Liverpool
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Goal: Middlesbrough 0-3 Liverpool (Adam Lallana)

Jurgen Klopp's side have been complete dominant in this second half and they get a third which as things stand will be enough to put them second. Mane feeds Origi, whose cross finds the unmarked Lallana who strokes into the net. Too, too easy.

Credit to Middlesbrough, they've had a go at Liverpool since conceding what should be a fatal second goal. It was at this stage a few weeks ago that Klopp's men started to unravel at Bournemouth. Another test of their metal on the way.

Goal: Middlesbrough 0-2 Liverpool (Divock Origi)

Right on cue Liverpool get there second and you would be tempted to say that should secure the points. The Reds win the ball back in the Middlesbrough half and after Mane and Wijnaldum exchange passes, Lallana feeds Origi who sweeps home first time beyond Valdes, for his fifth goal in as many games.

Liverpool are simply pouring players forward in search of a second goal. They're regularly outnumbering Middlesbrough in the final third but yet this ambition is has not been rewarded with a second goal. Karanka has introduced Downing and Leadbitter in an attempt to stem the tide but as yet they are yet to regain any sort of control in this game.

The Senegal forward Mane is posing a threat every time he gets near the ball and once again he has the chance to double Liverpool's lead but his close range effort is smothered by the Middlesbrough defence.

Underway in the second half at the Riverside. No changes to either team but almost a change to the scoreline as Mane goes through on goal again but is denied by Valdes. Liverpool have made a fast start.

Half time: Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool

Routine so far for Liverpool who lead through Adam Lallana's header, and it could have been more in truth. Middlesbrough have huffed and puffed but rarely tested Simon Mignolet, while the Reds have been clinical and should be two up by Sadio Mane struck the post. Aitor Karanka has work to do at half time.

Adam Lallana celebrates scoring his fifth goal of the season to give Liverpool a half-time lead.

Adam Lallana
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Liverpool almost double their lead. Sadio Mane goes through, beats Ben Gibson and Victor Valdes but is denied by the post, before Divock Origi hits the rebound into the side-netting.

Dejan Lovren puts everything on the line to keep Middlesbrough from drawing level, blocking Adam Clayton's effort with his face - a shot which sends him tumbling backwards.

More on this story as we get it. Worrying news from the Riverside.

Viktor Fischer forces a good near-post save out of Simon Mignolet as Middlesbrough look to bite back straight away. the hosts have been decent so far, working hard to nullify Liverpool but for how long can they keep this up?

Goal: Middlesbrough 0-1 Liverpool (Adam Lallana)

The breakthrough at last at the Riverside. Liverpool change the approach of the attack with a crossfield ball from Mane, which finds Clyne. The former Palace full-back cross terrifically to the back post where Lallana is waiting and he powers a head low past Valdes.

Tasty, competitive, lively. This game is ticking all of those boxes but excitement is certainly not one of them. Nothing in the way of chances for both teams in the opening 22 minutes, with even Simon Mignolet a spectator.

Middlesbrough vs Liverpool
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As you may have guessed, not exactly a action packed start to proceedings at the Riverside. Plenty of blood and thunder, particularly from the hosts, but nothing in the way of chances.

Underway in the north east. All eyes on Simon Mignolet in the early minutes.

Simon Mignolet
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Players are out at the Riverside. These fans in the north east have been waiting seven years for games of this enormity. Can they give Liverpool a bloody nose?

Approaching kick-of in the north east. Big night for both teams and a certain Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal. Jurgen Klopp has caved to the pressure and dropped Loris Karius, but will it make any difference? Expect a shoot on sight policy from the home team.

Players warming up at the Riverside. Warming being the operative word.

The match the Riverside is one of eight in the Premier League tonight, and we have all basis covered on what could be a vital evening at both ends of the table. If bottom and against top, aka Sunderland vs Chelsea, is more your thing then head to our live blog here.

Alternatively, if you want to keep abreast the other six games including Crystal Palace vs Manchester United go this way. Three live blogs in one evening. A early Christmas present, if you will.

Simply explanation from Jurgen Klopp over Simon Mignolet's recall

Middlesbrough's players have arrived at the Riverside as they prepare to face Liverpool. Aitor Karanka's side will have taken solace from the ease at which West Ham scored twice at Anfield on Sunday and will hope to repeat that success tonight.

So two changes as expected with Simon Mignolet coming in for Loris Karius, who drops to the bench. Elsewhere, Joel Matip is not in the squad at all after his mistake led to the second West Ham on Sunday.

Two changes also for Middlesbrough with Jordan Rhodes and Cristian Stuani replaced by Adama Traore and Alvaro Negredo.

Alvaro Negredo
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Middlesbrough's in now too. Alvaro Negredo back for them.

Liverpool team is the first to drop. One change for them. You can guess who that is.

Big night for Middlesbrough. These sorts of night make the hard grind of the Championship worth it.

The teams, and confirmation of Loris Karius' omission, should come in less than half an hour, but how do we expect both sides to line-up?

Alvaro Negredo and George Friend are both in contention to return from injury for Middlesbrough , but Gaston Ramirez is out.

Simon Mignolet is set to start in goal for Liverpool but Emra Can and Dejan Lovren are doubts with knee and muscle problems .

After lashing out at the media, including pundit Gary Neville, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has uncharacteristically caved to pressure and is set to drop goalkeeper Loris Karius. After a succession of high-profile mistakes, including in the draw with West Ham, the German has been ousted and replaced by Simon Mignolet.

The episode works to overshadow a fixture which could see Liverpool go second if they beat a Middlesbrough side who have overcome their problems at home to win two of their last three. Aitor Karanka's side can mix it up at the best of times and could pose a serious challenge to the Merseysiders.

Team news and all the build-up ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off on the way.