Preview: Boro vs Liverpool

Rafa Benitez' Merseysiders have been beaten just once on the road and Middlesbrough know that the last time these two met Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield. This is going to be a tough one for Middlesbrough today.

Injuries and Suspensions

Egyptian striker Mido faces a race against a time to be fit for the match, although a place on the bench is the best he can hope for. Julio Arca and Lee Cattermole are both suspended, and Mohamed Shawky has international commitments with Egypt. Otherwise, Southgate has a fully-fit squad of players to choose from.

Liverpool have a host of players returning from injury, although most of them still have to prove their fitness to the manager before they can be included in the side. Sami Hyypia may be available after returning to training from an ankle sprain, while fellow centre-back Daniel Agger, who hasn`t played since September, is close to returning.

Squads

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Pogatetz, Huth, Riggott, O'Neil, Boateng, Rochemback, Johnson, Downing, Tuncay, Lee, Hutchinson, Grounds.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel, Lucas, Voronin, Kuyt, Torres, Crouch, Benayoun, Kewell, Skrtel, Itandje.

Eyefootball Premiership Predictor

MIDDLESBROUGH 1-2 LIVERPOOL

An away visitor that nobody likes to welcome comes to town for Boro who will need to put in an exceptional performance if they are to get anything out of this game. Not going to happen.

Goalscorer: Fernando Torres