22:50. So, a 2-2 draw after extra-time, and a 14-13 penalty shoot-out win for Liverpool. Not the ideal game before the Merseyside Derby on Saturday, as they were taken to 120 minutes plus and the likes of Raheem Sterling played the entire game - but they got the result in the end, and will be happy to have progressed. It's been a night to remember, and thank you for joining me. I've been Charlie Malam, and apologies for the length of the game - but we hope you enjoyed the LIVE match commentary of Liverpool-Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup. The Reds face Everton at 12:45pm on Saturday, join us then for more match coverage with me and VAVEL UK. Thanks again, and good night.
22:48. Post-match conference time, with Rossiter beaming and saying "I just went a bit mad!" on his debut goal's celebration, after a marvellous performance. It's still difficult to comprehend how long that shoot-out was, but there were so many great spot-kicks and Mignolet and Blackman even tucked theirs away, as did some of the defenders for each side. Terrific penalties and Boro gave them a good run-in even through sudden death, but finally fell short. It was a great effort from Karanka's side, and it will be a confidence boost in their Championship campaign as they look to get promoted.
22:45. So, a quick re-cap of perhaps one of the longest games of football in Capital One Cup history - Rossiter capped his debut with a 10th minute goal, before Reach headed a Leadbitter costless-kick just past the hour mark to equalise it. The game stretched into extra-time, where substitute Suso smashed home in the 108th minute to make the score 2-1. With the game seeming settled, Sterling gifted possession and Bamford was brought down by Touré in the area and the on-loan sub scored to force penalties. That's where the drama kicked in. After only Sterling and Bamford missed in the first round, it eventually neeeded 30 penalties to seal the game as the Reds won 14-13 after Adomah hit it wide. There were some terrific penalties, and it was a shame for such a poor one to end it - but the home side will be happy to have progressed to the Fourth Round, which is drawn tomorrow.
22:43. If you've missed that shoot-out, you're going to want to catch-up. Some cracking spot-kicks in there, and now you've the added bonus of knowing the Reds eventually got through!
22:40. That was perhaps the longest penalty-shoot out Anfield has ever witnessed, and easily one of the greatest. Extraordinary events. Sterling almost ruins it for the Reds, gifting Boro a late equaliser and missing his penalty but after so many spot-kicks - Liverpool win the shoot-out 14-13. Yes, 14-13.
14-13. Miss! Adomah fires wide and the penalty shoot-out is FINALLY over.
14-13. Goal! Suso steps up a second time, and guess what? He buries it.
13-13. Goal! Reach steps up and fires a peach into the top corner despite Mignolet guessing the right way.
13-12. Goal! Lallana steps up, and scores another. Blackman guesses the wrong way yet again, but these penalties are still going.
12-12. Goal! Yes, it's 12-12 on penalties. Clayton steps up and scores his second spot-kick, with a cool stroked penalty.
12-11. Goal! Lucas steps up for another penalty. Suffering from cramp, he tries a long run-up and scores again.
11-11. Goal! Bamford, for the third time - gets it right. After missing his first, he fires the same side of Mignolet, who gets a hand on it - but can't keep it out.
11-10. Goal! Balotelli takes his second spot-kick, and stutters before firing just above the hands of Blackman. Audacious, but he pulls it off.
10-10. Goal! Debutant Blackman has to score, and he does. We're going round again here.
10-9. Goal! Mignolet steps up to take the penalty and smashes it past Blackman. A great penalty there.
9-9. Goal! Wildschut steps up to the final Boro penalty and hammers it high and hard. No stopping that.
9-8. Goal! Enrique, the final outfield player, steps up and scores. Another great penalty.
8-8. Goal! Omeruo steps up, and again Mignolet nearly gets something to it - reading the right way, but the penalty is too hard and beats the keeper.
8-7. Goal! Manquillo steps up and sends Blackman the wrong way. Outfoxed the keeper and cooly sent it the other side.
7-7. Goal! ANOTHER goal, we're still going. Fredericks, in his second game, puts it the same way as Mignolet and he gets a hand to it but it beats the Belgian into the corner.
7-6. Goal! Sakho steps up and it's a great effort. Straight into the bottom corner.
6-6. Goal! Former Red Ayala steps up and sends his shot into the roof of the net. Terrific shot, and this shoot-out is still going.
6-5. Goal! Captain Touré steps up and it's a fierce strike past Blackman. Lots of power in that.
5-5. Goal! Friend steps up and it's another great effort, as he sends his penalty past Mignolet to even the scores once more.
5-4. Goal! Substitute Williams steps up on his debut and it's a great finish, high and central.
4-4. Goal! Substitute Vossen steps up the plate and sends Mignolet the wrong way.
4-3. Miss! Sterling steps up to atone for his previous error and it's a poor shot, Blackman saves and it's going to the final spot-kick.
4-3. Goal! Adomah steps up, and with the pressure on him - fires straight into the top corner. Exquisite.
4-2. Goal! Suso steps up and goes straight down the middle. Boro have to score.
3-2. Goal! Reach, the scorer in the 90 minutes, fires an unstopppable penalty into the top corner. Great effort.
3-1. Goal! Lallana steps up, and after a quick run-up, fires into the right side as Blackman dives left.
2-1. Goal! Clayton steps up, and places home to score Boro's second. Very calm, sending Mignolet the wrong way.
2-0. Goal! Lucas up next, and he scores emphatically. Great penalty past Blackman despite him guessing the right way.
1-0. Save! Bamford steps up to all the boos, and after scoring his first - his spot-kick is saved by Mignolet! Poor penalty.
1-0. Balotelli scores! It's a good penalty from the Italian, placing it past the keeper.
0-0. First penalty will be to the home side, and the penalties are on the Kop end. It's Balotelli who steps up first.
22:20. Frustrating night for Liverpool. The result seemed settled, and again an individual error has ruined their good work. Their second goal was a stunner, but they're going to have to rely on spot-kicks to beat their Championship opposition here. That's not what they wanted.
120+3' That's that, and the Reds will pay for the time wasting whilst Lucas was down on the floor. It's penalties between Liverpool and Middlesbrough here at Anfield after Sterling's late error, and Bamford kept his cool to force penalties. Very, very silly error from the 19-year-old, with the result less than a minute away. Who is to blame? Touré's tackle was poor as he comes across and floors him rather than showing him to the byline, but it was a loose back pass from the youngster.
120+2' It's going to be penalties, as Bamford strokes it into the opposite corner. Sterling's got to take the blame for that goal.
120+2' GOAL! Middlesbrough 2-2.
120+2' Penalty to Middlesbrough! Clayton tries to hit it high into the area but it's cleared and Liverpool try a counter. Sterling gathers and passes back, Bamford picks it up and carries it into the box where Touré clatters him and it's late drama for Boro.
120+1' Great work by Manquillo to get back and stop an Adomah attack. Lucas, currently, is down in pain with cramp. A Boro man is helping him stretch it out of his system.
120' Fredericks sees out Sterling towards the corner-flag, as the assistant referee shows the addition of 2 minutes in this second-half.
119' Great play by Manquillo to beat a few men and push towards goal, he leaves it for Suso - who tries for a second, but his shot is straight at Blackman who saves.
119' The Reds passing it about now and Boro are still chasing it, though they could be fighting a losing battle. There won't be long left added on.
117' Suso's back pass to Lucas almost caused trouble, but the midfielder got it under control. Quite a bit of anxiety in the stadium, as the Reds risk passing it out amongst the back.
116' Boro still threatening here, with just a few moments left and the home side will have to be wary.
115' Manquillo, still flying up the flanks, revives a move and plays in Balotelli who tries to win a corner - but a goal-kick is given.
114' Wildschut bursts down the flank and crosses in but Sakho glances it out, where Bamford picks it up and outskills Enrique but his cross in is cleared.
113' Liverpool win a corner, but Suso plays it short to Lallana and the Spaniard's return pass trickles out of play.
112' Manquillo wins a costless-kick after Reach fouls him in an aerial challenge. Not long left, with the visiting fans singing "I want to go home!" and the Reds try to waste some time.
110' Double change from Boro - Bamford and Vossen both on as they search for a second equaliser of the night. 10 minutes left, will the Reds run down the clock and see the game out or can Karanka's side repeat their heroics?
109' Lallana does absolutely magnificently to flick into Enrique's path and he crosses into the six-yard box, where Balotelli lies in waiting. He tries a shot but it's deflected out to Suso, who strikes firm and hard and the shot finds it's way through a number of bodies on the goal line and in. The Reds looking confident now.
108' GOAL! Liverpool 2-1. Huge relief around Anfield.
108' Enrique flashes a ball into the box, forcing Blackman to palm it out. Plenty more danger from the home side as they look to push it out to the flanks.
107' Manquillo's ball across the outside is the box is great, but no-one gets to it. It eventually runs it's way to Enrique who hits a hard low effort but no-one follows it up despite Blackman's poor save. Moments later, Sterling picks up the ball and cuts towards the box before firing at the near post but the keeper stretches to tip it out. From the corner, Blackman comes out but doesn't get a very good contact and he gets away with it again there. Poor decision making from the goalie on his debut senior outing in his career.
107' Reach hauls down Manquillo on the run, and earns a yellow-card.
106' Lucas roars a final battle cry, but the roar from the Kop is hardly emphatic. They look like they just want the game to be over and done with, whereas the 3,000+ travelling fans are delighted to be here. Can they knock out the Reds?
105' Half-time, and Sterling walks off the pitch looking slightly despondent. He's had to play well longer than Rodgers would have liked but he's in it for the long haul, with all the hosts' subs having been made.
105+1' One minute of added time in the first-half of extra time, but it's looking bleak for the home side. No real opportunities to speak of since before half-time really.
105' Lallana wriggles a ball through to Balotelli, but with his back away from goal he can't turn and shoot. He dithers too long and lays it back to Suso too late, who has to rush his shot and it flies wide.
104' The Redss play it about across the edge of the box until Suso tries a strike, which is blocked.
103' Deathly silence at Anfield, with the home fans seemingly crestfallen with the poor performance they've seen in the last 60 minutes from their side. Lallana again tries to create something but Reach is back there to thwart him.
102' It's hit towards the back post but Mignolet leaps to emphatically beat it away. First-half of extra-time coming to a close, with Fredericks looking to throw a long ball into the area but Sakho hoists it away.
101' Reach charges forward and wins a foul out of Manquillo, who tries to nick the ball between his legs. It's an amateur tackle and gives Leadbitter a great chance to trouble the home side's defence.
100' That's right, one hundred minutes in and if you've only just joined us - Liverpool are currently all tied 1-1 with Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup Third Round tie at Anfield. It's the only game that's required an extra half-hour, after Reach pounced upon poor set-piece defending despite debutant Rossiter scoring in just the 10th minute.
99' Another failed cross for the home side, and no matter how hard they push, they're getting nothing going forward. This could be on it's way to penalties.
98' Final sub for Liverpool - Marković making way for Suso, making his first senior appearance for well over a year.
97' Marković does well to beat a number of Boro shirts and sprint towards goal, before Omeruo hangs out a leg and wins the ball.
96' It's not quite a peach of a cross, as it falls deep to Ayala who heads back into the box. It's cleared and Boro try to put it back in, but Mignolet comes out and despite dropping the ball - wins a costless-kick for being impeded.
96' Enrique loses the ball after being outcrowded and after trying to win it back, fouls Tomlin. Good chance for Leadbitter to deliver one in here.
95' The game at Anfield is the only one that has gone to extra-time, and the visiting fans share a laugh as Balotelli slips on the ball and holds on to Adomah's leg as he tries to race away from him. Little impact from the sub so far.
95' Results elsewhere: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton, Cardiff 0-3 Bournemouth, Derby 2-0 Reading, Leyton Orient 0-1 Sheff Utd. MK Dons 2-0 Bradford, Shrewsbury 1-0 Norwich, Sunderland 1-2 Stoke, Swansea 3-0 Everton.
94' More handball shouts in the box, as Lallana lifts a ball towards Balotelli at the far post but nothing comes of it. No dynamism or movement in the final third from the Reds, with Marković noticably poor - but Sterling has been the shining light of tonight's game for the hosts.
93' Corner to Liverpool. Lallana takes it short and plays Sterling who clips towards Lucas, who volleys an effort towards goal but it hits Lucas and goes out-of-play.
92' Friend does terrifically to take the ball from Manquillo at the corner-flag and dispose of it. The Reds are still trying to come forward, but Ayala is quick to quash Balotelli outside the area.
91' Plenty debate over that late non-penalty as Liverpool get extra-time underway. They're facing the Anfield Road End in the first 15 minutes.
21:40. Not the second-half Rodgers would have been hoping for. The home side were poor in the goal they conceded, letting Reach get into space to head past Mignolet. In the final third, there was just nothing inspiring for Liverpool enough to score in the final half-an-hour. Boro will look to nick it late on now, and the Reds will have to play an extra 30 minutes they could have done with avoiding with the Merseyside Derby awaiting them on Saturday.
21:36. EXTRA-TIME. 30 more minutes will be played at Anfield.
90+3' Huge penalty claim for Liverpool. Ayala goes up to head away a cross, and the ball strikes his arm after he misses the header but nothing is given.
90+2' Sterling finds Balotelli, who backheels into the box but it comes to nothing. The ball is cleared back to the 19-year-old but he loses the ball. The deflection falls to Balotelli but Blackman gets down to his cross at the near post.
90+1' Leadbitter comes through the back of Sterling in an aerial challenge and gives away a costless-kick. Time running out for the Reds to prevent extra-time, but it's not looking very likely.
90' Three minutes added on here at Anfield, with an extra 30 looming.
89' Another late long-throw, this time by Fredericks but it's thumped away by Sakho and Ayala is all over the back of Balotelli in the centre of the pitch. After the costless-kick, Enrique hits a long ball to Sterling but he can't control it.
88' The Reds are caught in a spot of bother at the back, and give away a throw-in. Friend runs over and dries off the ball before launching a long one into the area. It's not very convincingly cleared and Adomah tries an effort but slices the volley wide. Enrique does well to see out the chance, but Lallana gives it away further down the pitch. At Swansea, Everton are now down 3-0 after a Martin Emnes goal.
87' Balotelli cuts inside, but slips as he goes to shoot and the shot isn't clean cut - zipping wide of the post. Three minutes of normal time left.
87' The cross loops up towards the back post but Sakho's header leads to nothing. Very little threat from set-pieces for the home side tonight.
86' Balotelli picks out Manquillo and he finds Sterling on the inside channel but nothing is on for him. He plays Balotelli who tries an ambitious shot which deflects out of play off a Boro man. Corner to Liverpool.
85' Close! Tomlin does well to draw a few bodies out towards the corner of the box before flicking a ball in towards Clayton. He charges towards the by-line and shoots towards the near-post and his shot crashes off the outside of the post and out of play.
84' Flat atmosphere, and a flat performance to match in this second-half. Very little creative for the home side, and extra-time could be dangerous for them. They've fallen victim to lower league sides before, but there's still a few minutes to nick the result here.
83' Lallana cuts onto his right and tries to feed Marković, but there's too many bodies in the way and the pass is deflected. Meanwhile, Reach does well to dispossess Sterling near the corner flag.
82' Extra-time beckons here in this encounter, with neither side looking particularly inspiring. The Reds are pushing forward but can't create a chance for all of their efforts.
81' Boro give it away under pressure, but the Reds just can't break through and create anything. Balotelli picks up the ball and finds Marković, who flicks it back to Manquillo but his shot is wild and deflects a fair few yards wide.
80' Sterling goes down after Friend pushes him over on the half-way line. Manquillo and Marković link up but the defender's backwards flick into him is miscontrolled. Up the other end, Boro burst forward through Adomah and Wildschut challenges Sakho in a one-on-one but his cross can't find anyone in the area.
79' Defender Jordan Williams is up and looks set to come on. It's the 18-year-old's senior debut and he replaces goalscorer Rossiter, who has been impressive overall. Rodgers has a word in his ear, and Williams will be eager to put in an equally as commanding performance in the midfield.
78' Not long left for either side to win it but Liverpool are searching, Sterling picks it up and cuts inside but Balotelli can't control his pass. Lucas shoots from range, but it's deflected out for a throw near the corner flag.
76' Score update - Muniesa again at Sunderland. The defender scores his second and Stoke are 2-1 up. Whilst at Anfield, Clayton shoots from range and Mignolet palms it out. The shot nearly falls to Tomlin, but Touré, now the captain, does excellently to stick out a leg and prevent the rebound falling to him.
75' Replays show Lallana's earlier fall in the box wasn't really a penalty despite some contact, whilst Wildschut replaces Kike up front for the visiting side.
74' Lallana's delivery on the first is poor but he gets a second chance, whilst Balotelli makes his way onto the field. He rises to the corner, but Ayala manages to deflect it out for a third corner and the cross is poor, whilst Ayala goes down after making a meal of a slight push from Balotelli.
73' Boro goalscorer Reach gets back to defend well. Lallana dances past a few opposition shirts, but Omeruo forces him to check back. He tees up Marković but rather than shoot from range, he tries to feed Sterling inside the box but the pass is put out for a corner.
72' Lallana twists and turns before going down inside the area, which the referee has nothing of. Adomah bursts away and plays in Kike, but Rossiter comes across to nick it away and Liverpool launch a counter of their own with Sterling at the heart. Nothing comes of the original cross, and they continue to surge forward but though Marković's flick into the box clearly hits an arm - nothing is given.
70' 20 minutes remain and Balotelli, who looked set to come on, may just be holding it back a few minutes as the Reds search for some inspiration. Sterling dances his way into the box and though the ball looked to have crossed the byline, he tries one into the six-yard box but it's poor and no-one connects. Enrique picks up the cross on the opposite flank and tries to hook a ball into the box, but it's poor and is easily cleared.
69' Mario Balotelli takes off his bib and his introduction will be imminent. You'd suspect Lambert will come off after a disappointing game, and the Italian could be the spark they need in the final third. Replays of Boro's goal show that though Sakho will be blamed for giving away the costless-kick, Enrique's loose swing at the ball, rather than marking Reach could be to blame.
68' Lucas loses the ball to Tomlin but Sterling recovers to pick it up, before finding Manquillo on the flank. Under pressure, he tries a first-time cross but it flies straight into Blackman's grasp. Boro the team on the front foot here.
67' Lallana and Sterling shoot forward before Ayala clears. Adomah beats Enrique to the by-line after picking up the pieces and Reach rises, but turns his header well wide of the goal.
66' Marković wins the ball high up the pitch, but his cross is poor and can't find a teammate in the box. A few substitutions might need to be made if they are to find something here. Meanwhile, Swansea double their lead against Everton through Gylfi Sigurdsson.
65' Typical Liverpool defending then. Despite a fairly solid display overall, they've suffered again from set-piece man-marking. Reach was in plenty of space and it's a needless goal to concede.
63' That's delighted the opposing fans, who burst into song and the Reds are going to have to win hard to win this one now. The away side have their tails up, but Lallana drives forward in search of a response. There's quite a few opposing shirts in his way, and he can't find a way through, but the Reds keep on pushing until Sterling tries a shot from distance which is comfortably saved.
61' Leadbitter crosses it in, and the delivery is straight across the six-yard box. Reach is there to connect, and he heads low and past Mignolet to level the scores. Poor set-piece defending, and despite a poor overall performance - the Championship side equalise.
61' GOAL! Middlesbrough level. 1-1.
61' His former teammate Lallana has been impressive though and he gets back well. However, Boro nick the ball back and Adomah gets in behind Enrique before driving a ball into the box. Sakho is there to block, but it's with his arm and that's a yellow card for the centre-back and a costless-kick for the away side.
60' Lallana picks up the ball and plays Enrique once, before looking to repeat it but Adomah is there to intercept. Boro look to counter and Friend tries a cross, but Touré rises and Leadbitter fouls Sterling. He takes a quick costless-kick and bursts away from the Boro captain on the the break but Lambert slows down the play and his cross into the teenager is aimless. Not a good display from the powerful striker.
59' Quite a low-key performance so far, but the home side have controlled. Not much tempo, but a second goal would likely kill the game. Aitor Karanka's side certainly not out of it just yet.
57' Rapidly approaching the hour mark and it's still 1-0 after that 10th minute goal from Rossiter. Lallana is again brought down in Boro territory and pushes forward before again slipping over as he tries a shot from outside the box. Great twisting and turning from him, but not too much in the way of end product so far.
56' Omeruo is rightly carded after jumping into the path of Lallana on the break but the Englishman is far from phased. Picking up the ball again and cutting inside, before playing Marković who looks to loft a ball back into him, but the playmaker can't get to the pass.
55' Sterling shrugs off Leadbitter on the ball and drives forward before winning a corner from Friend. Lallana agains takes the set-piece, but Touré's header is poor and despite Sakho hooking it back into the box, Blackman rises above everyone to catch.
54' Manquillo and Marković do well to dispossess Clayton, but the Reds haven't really created anything in a while and Rodgers will be keen to see his side add to their lead with the options on Boro's bench.
52' Middlesbrough playing some neat passing football across the pitch despite pressure from the home side. Lallana does well to prompt a loose ball and Sterling pounces upon it, but he's forced to check outside the box and after a deflection looks to be going out for a corner - Fredericks makes sure it is just a throw-in.
51' Ex-Red Kristoffer Peterson, who featured in pre-season but moved on to FC Utrecht, has just tweeted: "So so pleased for Rossiter, hard working guy with no respect thats why hes just done what we all dreaming of doing! Big congratulations" The young midfielder has certainly worked hard tonight, and closes down Leadbitter outside the box and the Boro captain's effort sails high and wide.
50' Lallana crosses in and Touré rises, before crashing to the floor. The Ivorian rises and looks to the ref, seemingly unhappy with the challenge from Omeruo, who pushes him in the back near the penalty spot. Decent case for a penalty, but nothing was given.
50' Sterling brings the ball under control and pushes forward before trying to send a looped ball into Marković. The Serb is beaten to it by Friend, who heads for a corner.
49' Lallana weaves into the box before looking to pull it back into the six-yard box but he loses his footing at the vital moment and it flies into the stands.
48' Lallana drops deep and makes a run towards goal before finding a teammate, that is until Adomah stops Sterling in his tracks. The 19-year-old has been a little lacking tonight, not quite his usual effervescent self in the final third.
47' Lambert and Marković link up before Manquillo fires a ball across the box. Unfortunately, no-one can get up to it and the chance goes begging.
47' Great pressing straight away from the home side, but Boro manage to find Tomlin - who fires a shot from 25-yards out which powers wide of the post.
46' We're back from the interval. No changes for either side, but Liverpool are kicking towards the Kop end in this half. Can they add to their lead? Or can Boro draw level? The visitors get us back in action.
20:45. In other news that may not go down so well with some Reds' fans, Fernando Torres rolled back the years with a wonderful looping header on his AC Milan debut. They lead 2-1 against Empoli in Serie A, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his second hat-trick in three days, Real Madrid are 4-1 up against Elche.
20:44. Another picture of Jordan Rossiter showing just what it means to him to open his Liverpool account with a goal on his debut.
20:42. An honourable mention for Jose Enrique too, who has been solid tonight. With Alberto Moreno on the bench, the 28-year-old has defended well and got forward too - linking with Lallana on the left.
20:40. All the half-time scores in the competition: Arsenal 1-2 Southampton, Cardiff 0-3 Bournemouth, MK Dons 1-0 Bradford, Shrewsbury 0-0 Norwich, Sunderland 1-1 Stoke, Swansea 1-0 Everton, Derby 0-0 Reading, Leyton Orient 0-1 Sheff Utd.
20:36. Rather routine first-half for the home side. Their slender lead comes courtesy of debutant Jordan Rossiter - who took advantage of Boro debutant Jamal Blackman's poor keeping, to open the scoring. The loanee keeper came off his line, and Rossiter side-footed a shot towards goal which he simply let run beneath his foot and into the bottom corner. Rookie mistake to make, and it's the difference between the two sides for the moment. Though it's only 1-0, Liverpool have deserved the lead and have dominated tonight's proceedings. Despite a few scares from corner kicks, the Reds' back-line have been largely sturdy - with Sakho and Touré dealing with most of the pressure, though Lambert almost let Kike in on goal. The Reds' captain for tonight has been quite dissapointing in honesty, but none of Rodgers' side have been thoroughly impressive. Lallana has perhaps been their best performer, particularly on the ball and he may trouble in the 2nd half. Stay here for the second half, which we'll have with you shortly.
HT: Liverpool 1-0 Middlesbrough.
45' Manquillo and Marković combine down the flank and the Serb tries to burst into the box, but Omeruo denies him with a good challenge. Up the other end, Kike goes down dramatically under a tackle from Sakho but the referee's assistant rightly gives no foul.
44' Sakho overcommits to a challenge, but his fellow defenders are on hand to prevent Kike to turn away on goal. The game petering out for half-time here.
43' Boro still under the cosh here, with the Reds enjoying plenty of the ball in their half. Fredericks is deemed to have fouled Sterling after the Liverpool man flicks it past and goes down under his tackle. Lallana is the one with the inswinging cross, and Marković glances it towards the back post but after some brief pinball in the box, it is hoofed out of play by a Boro man.
42' Lambert pounces upon some hesitancy to steal the ball, and the Reds play it about at the back before pushing up the field. Marković and Sterling try a neat one-two which doesn't quite come off, but they retain possession and play it about nicely. Lallana and Enrique link-up down the left and the latter tries a dangerous low ball into the box, but Adomah is on hand to clear.
41' Southampton in the lead at Arsenal via Nathaniel Clyne, 2-1. At Anfield, Fredericks delivers a long costless-kick into the box but they can't fashion anything from it immediately.
40' Fredericks delivers in to Kike inside the area, but the ball bounces before he gets to it and connects with his arm as he tries to control with his chest. Costless-kick Liverpool. In front of Anfield Road end, Lallana again spins away from his man and finds Lambert, but he can't head towards anyone inside the box.
39' From open play, it's all Liverpool and Leadbitter gives another costless-kick away to the silky Lallana. From set-pieces however, Boro look capable of causing some damage and Sakho has been important in the air so far.
37' Leadbitter again with the delivery, but the Boro captain can't put it past Rossiter. The 17-year-old heads out but it falls to Tomlin who lets it drop and he volleys one towards Mignolet, who palms it out towards Adomah but he's offside when he tries the follow-up.
36' Marković bursts forward and plays it to Sterling but he gets caught on the ball, and Boro look to launch an attack. Tomlin gets away from three defenders, before shooting. His effort is scuffed and it deflects off Sakho into Kike's path, but Mignolet comes out to clear it for a corner. Reach connects to it and Friend goes to the byline to deliver it back in, but can only win a second successive set-piece.
35' Karanka's side livening up again here, enjoying a spell of possession before Leadbitter's ball out to Friend down the left-hand side is overhit and the home side win a throw.
34' Lucas, Rossiter and Sterling exchange possession before Lallana tries to feed Lambert in the 18-yard area. He tries to flick it in, but his control is poor. Lallana retrieves and the Reds try to engineer another attack, but Marković's clipped ball can't find Lambert on the six-yard box line.
33' Marković gets back well to prevent Friend pushing forward and Manquillo blasts a ball off the opposing defender and out for a goal-kick.
32' Stoke equalise at Sunderland through Muniesa, but not too much else is happening at Anfield. The Boro back-line is looking rather suspect, and Lucas does well to prevent Tomlin racing away and he gets back to dissect another attack just seconds later.
31' Leadbitter walks over to the opposite corner flag, and delivers one in but Sakho glances it out of the box. They deliver a second ball in but Lucas clears, and from a counter-attack, Tomlin fouls Marković and gives away a costless-kick near the halfway-line after raising his arm.
30' Up the Kop End, a sloppy pass allows Boro to attack and win a corner. Leadbitter puts it in and Kike finds himself in yards of space, but his shot is deflected off of Lambert and over the bar.
27' Sterling and Lambert combine up the field, but the former's ball up to tonight's captain is poor and it slides out of play. Meanwhile, replays show Blackman should have done much better with Rossiter's shot - with the 30-yard side-footed effort going straight under his foot. At Swansea, Nathan Dyer puts them 1-0 ahead of Everton, who the Reds face in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday.
25' Rossiter fires a long-ball up to Lambert, but he struggles to bring it down after it zips off the greasy surface. He wins back a throw, but doesn't look happy with his own personal performance - screaming a few swear words into the sky.
24' Cooled tempo the game now, with the home side passing it between themselves and Boro patiently in waiting. Lallana spins away from his marker, Leadbitter, and shoots from range but his shot is always flying away from goal. Good effort from the former Saints skipper, he's stood out tonight.
23' Delight from Rossiter, who scores his first goal in his first senior appearance. He's been solid in the midfield so far, showing impressive maturity beyond his levels to organise and control the rest of his teammates.
22' Lucas presses Clayton and takes the ball, but his challenge is deemed a foul by the ref. Still an even affair here, with 50% possession being shared by both sides.
20' Rossiter tries a long-ball into the box but Tomlin blocks it and it goes out for a throw-in. They push forward up the opposite flank, with Lallana and Enrique combining well before the left-back shrugs off a few challenges and finds Sterling, but his shot is blocked. At Arsenal, a Dusan Tadic penalty levels the scores. 1-1 there, but 1-0 at Anfield.
19' More fantastic defensive work from Lallana to track back and take possession. Liverpool spraying the ball about with confidence and purpose here. A much-changed performance from recent games.
18' Lallana and Sterling play a short corner before trying to find Sakho, but his header is whilst he's travelling backwards and he can't get any momentum on it. It falls wide of the goal and out for a goal-kick.
17' Tomlin launches a ball in but Sakho heads clear triumphantly. The Reds launch a counter, but Ayala gets across to Marković and the attack comes to an end. Very positive start for the home side. Sunderland have gone 1-0 up through Jozy Altidore at home to Stoke.
16' Marković wins a costless-kick after Leadbitter brings him down, and Enrique and Lallana combine brilliantly with the Englishman flicking it with his back heel into the defender's path. From the edge of the box, rather than shoot, he tries a pass into the box but Blackman is there to pick it up.
15' Marković feeds Lambert, who evades an incoming tackle but the ball gets away from him. Good pressure means Lallana retrieves the ball 30-yards from goal and with the crowd imploring him to shoot, he tries a neat one-two but loses possession. At Arsenal, Alexis Sánchez puts the Gunners 1-0 up - the Saints.
14' Adomah does well to flick it over Enrique down the right, but Lallana comes in to clear and he does so again moments later, nicking it from Fredericks and earning a throw-in. Good defensive work from the no.20.
13' Reds around the world happy for Rossiter on Twitter. Carragher tweets: "Get in you beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" whilst the injured Jon Flanagan says: "Get in lad @JordanRossiter"