Middlesbrough-Liverpool: Mido Scores, Steven Gerrard Laughs It Off

Middlesbrough, who have not won at Anfield since 1976, have extended that period of time another day, as they were defeated with a morale crushing last goal by Steven Gerrard on August 23, 2008.

First Half

Boro’s bad luck began even before kick off when first choice goalkeeper Brad Jones injured himself during the warm up, forcing the hesitant Ross Turnbull to step in.

The first half began on a quick note for the substitute goal keeper, saving a powerful strike from Dirk Kuyt.

12 minutes into play, Boro Left-Back Andrew Taylor's prolific strike, just outside the 18-yard box, was met with Reina's efficient hands for a corner kick.

After some crisp passing moves, Liverpool were in front of goal in no time as Kuyt squared off the ball for Gerrard, who couldn't quite place it the way he wanted.

In the 38th minute, Robbie Keane sliced through two defenders and chipped the ball to Fernando Torres who had a touch on it, but was deflected by Emanuel Pogatetz for a corner kick opportunity.

Second Half

The second half did not initiate on the same intensity the first half did, but it did witness a couple of opportunities for Keane and Torres.

The best chance of the game came in the 61st minute when Mido charged down the left flank, held up the ball before threading it in for Sanli Tuncay, who flicked it audaciously over the shoulder of Jamie Carragher but his volley slammed straight into Reina’s arms.

Mido came on as a substitute for Daniel Alves and his impact could not have been better documented when he scored Boro's only goal of the game in the 69th minute. Mido picked up a pass from Aliadiere, freed himself up flawlessly onto his left foot and thumped in an unstoppable low drive into the bottom corner of Reina’s goal.

The fans seemed absolutely stunned, but it proved to be a temporary scare at Anfield stadium. After various claims of hand-ball touching plays against Middlesbrough, Jamie Carragher found the equalizer in the 85th minute of the game.

Carragher drove in the ball and it took a deflection off Pogatetz, sending Turnbull the wrong way.

Four minutes into stoppage time, however, the Merseysiders struck the killer blow. Keane cushioned down a header for Gerrard and the captain nailed in a half volley on the edge of the box into the top left hand corner, sending the Anfield crowd into raptures.

Mido seemed incredibly content with his goal, but in conclusion the 28-year-old Liverpool captain just waved it goodbye.