Fernando Torres' stunning goal rescued a point for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.
Liverpool forced to come from behind
Fernando Torres' stunning goal rescued a point for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.
George Boateng gave Middlesbrough a deserved first half to mark his return to the starting XI.
Liverpool looked to be heading to defeat until Torres popped up 19 minutes from time with a brilliant long-range strike.
The draw was Liverpool's fouth successive stalemate in all competitions and leaves their title dreams in real trouble.
Boro, who had 19-year-old full-back Jonathan Grounds making his first senior start and were again missing Jonathan Woodgate and Mido, produced the far more fluent football.
The invention of in-form Turkey international Tuncay international was a threat throughout and with Downing, a £12million target for Tottenham, providing good service from the left, they pushed consistently throughout the first half.
Breakthrough
They made the breakthrough with 26 minutes gone when Gary O'Neil headed Downing's cross back across goal and Tuncay nodded it down for Boateng to slide the ball home.
Boateng, who had been warmly applauded when his name was announced, received the acclaim for his first goal of the season joyously as his rehabilitation was completed.
Benitez made his move at the break when he sent on winger Ryan Babel for full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, and there was instantly a different look about his team.
Striker Andrei Voronin simply could not believe referee Andre Marriner's decision not to away him a penalty within a minute of the restart after he appeared to be barged to the ground by Huth.
But Boro were almost handed a second goal on a plate four minutes later when keeper Jose Reina inexplicably raced out to the left touchline without a hope of beating Jeremie Aliadiere to Downing's pass, and could only look on gratefully as the Frenchman's cross failed to locate a red shirt.
Babel had started confidently and almost made a major impact on 59 minutes when he cut in-field before unleashing a dipping, swerving shot which wrong-footed Schwarzer and flew inches past the far post.
But only the upright denied the Teessiders a second goal eight minutes later when Downing's shot thundered into the woodwork with Reina beaten, and O'Neil lifted the rebound over the bar.
Leveller
However, Torres' big moment arrived with 71 minutes gone when he picked up the ball in midfield and despite stumbling initially, hammered a venomous shot past the despairing Schwarzer to level.
The Australian had to tip a late Gerrard effort over the crossbar and block a Sami Hyypia header with his legs as the visitors pressed for the win, but Southgate's men just about held firm.
| Middlesbrough |
Team Statistics |
Liverpool |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
7 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
| 3 |
Corners |
9 |
| 6 |
Fouls |
13 |
| 11 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 67.5 |
Passing Success |
74.3 |
| 20 |
Tackles |
22 |
| 75 |
Tackles Success |
63.6 |
| 40.5 |
Possession |
59.5 |
| 53.5 |
Territorial Advantage |
46.5 |
|
