It is time for the first midweek Premier League matchday this season and we have a cracker of a game on Wednesday. Middlesbrough are back in the Premier League this season after nine long years and will meet Liverpool for the first time in the Premier League since 2009. Liverpool lost 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium when they last paid a visit to the north-east and their overall record against the Teessiders is not the best.
Jürgen Klopp’s boys will feel extra pressure heading into the game following their recent slump in form which has taken them six points adrift the league leaders, Chelsea. Another negative result could hurt the team badly and Boro are not the easiest of opponents as well. Aitor Karanka’s side are 16th in the table but that is due to their poor attack. Boro boast a strong defence, in fact, one that is better than Liverpool at the moment.
After a collapse against Bournemouth on matchday 14 where they surrendered a 1-3 lead to lose the game 4-3, Liverpool had another disappointing result on Sunday as they failed to see off West Ham at Anfield. Boro have upset teams like Manchester City and Arsenal already this season and could definitely stun the Reds.
Team news
Middlesbrough
Aitor Karanka’s side are struggling with injuries. Forward Alvaro Negredo is set to miss the match due to a hamstring injury. Similarly, Uruguayan international Gaston Ramirez will also be unavailable for the selection due to his foot injury.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s diminutive midfield star Philippe Coutinho is missing though an injury. Daniel Sturridge is also ruled out of the match due to a calf injury. Midfielder Oluwaseyi Ojo and Danny Ings will miss the match due to their back and knee injuries, respectively. Dejan Lovren might miss through a minor injury.
Predicted lineups
Middlesbrough (4-3-3): Valdes; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Fabio; Forshaw, Clayton, de Roon; Fischer, Rhodes, Stuani
Liverpool (4-3-3): Karius; Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Milner; Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Mane, Origi, Firmino
Key players
Middlesbrough- Christian Stuani
With Negredo and Ramirez both missing the game with injuries, Stuani will have to play a key role if Boro want to salvage anything from the game.
Liverpool- Divock Origi
Origi has done an excellent job of late for Liverpool having scored 4 goals in his last four games in all competitions and will be the key player in breaking down the Boro defence.
Odds
Boro win @9/2
Draw @3/1
Liverpool win @3/5
