Liverpool 1 Middlesbrough 1
Liverpool needed a second-half equaliser from defender John Arne Riise to scramble a 1-1 home draw with struggling Middlesbrough as their woeful league run continued today.
Middlesbrough had not scored in their previous eight away games in the league but went ahead with a superb curling free kick by Cameroonian wing back Geremi seven minutes before half-time.
The visitors then defended superbly to limit the Liverpool threat, until Norwegian defender Riise reacted quickly to score in the 74th minute following a good run by Michael Owen.
Liverpool stepped up the pace but it was Middlesbrough who came closest to finding a winner eight minutes from time, only for goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek to make an excellent double save to deny Geremi and new signing Michael Ricketts.
Liverpool, knocked out of the FA Cup at Anfield by first division Crystal Palace on Wednesday, remain sixth in the standings on 43 points, 13 behind leaders Arsenal.
They have not won at home in the last seven league games, dating back to the first week of November, and are now in real danger of missing out on a Champions League place.
It was Middlesbrough's first away point since November and lifted them one place to 13th.