Liverpool hold no fear according to Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren. Liverpool as looking to equal the club record of 10 successive clean sheets, but the Boro boss has other ideas.
He told the official site: ‘We will go in a positive state of mind, with a belief that we can do well there. We came away from Chelsea with a lot of credit and disappointed to have lost. Now we go to Liverpool looking to win.’
Vital Quotes:
McClaren said: ‘Liverpool are a great team, full of quality. They are on a fantastic run at present so they will be favourites and their fans will expect them to win. It’s up to us to perform the way we know we can.
Liverpool Team News:
Dietmar Hamann is out with a heavily bruised leg. Bolo Zenden is still out with a knee injury and Darren Potter misses out with back problems. Sissoko is back in contention following his suspension, Xabi Alonso could also return. (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Traore, Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Cisse, Morientes, Crouch, Sinama-Pongolle, Josemi, Carson.
Player to watch: Peter Crouch
Scored his first goal (or is that goals?) last week and causes defenders all sorts of headaches.
Middlesbrough Team News:
Emanuel Pogatetz is available following a minor niggle. Stuart Parnaby and Gaizka Mendieta both miss out. (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Bates, Riggott, Southgate, Ehiogu, Queudrue, Pogatetz, Boateng, Doriva, Rochemback, Morrison, Nemeth, Johnson, Kennedy, Yakubu, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Maccarone.
Player to watch: Mark Viduka
If he is on his game, he can score out of nothing.
Match Facts & Stats
Liverpool are looking to equal a club record of 10 successive clean sheets set in the 1987/88 season whilst Daglish was boss.
Last season: Liverpool 1-1 Middlesbrough
(Gerrard 52) (Nemeth 4)
Premiership record: Liverpool 9 wins, Boro wins 5, Draws 7.
Record At Anfield: Liverpool 6 wins, Boro wins 0, Draws 4
Ref Watch:
Steve Bennet, 12 matches, 3 reds, 49 yellows.
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