RONNY GOODLASS TALKS TACTICS:Must-win game against Jekyll and Hyde Boro

Jan 12 2008

THE big question will be which Middlesbrough is going to turn up?

Will it be the side that put on one of the best displays of the season in beating an Arsenal side that was flying, that claimed a rare win at Portsmouth and saw off Bristol City in the FA Cup when many people predicted a fall?

Or will it be the inconsistent team that has slipped up so often?

Defence

David Wheater played in the cup game and scored the winner.

The 20-year-old is among the tallest players in the Premier League and has represented England at Under 16/17/18 and 19 levels. Very imposing, he is a danger in the opposition box, too. He may be paired with Robert Huth if Jonathan Woodgate is ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Huth is another tall player which suggests anything pumped forward in the air will be swept up by the home defence.

Instead, it makes sense for Liverpool to go with an attacking option that can keep the ball on the ground and pull the central pair out of position.

At full-back Austrian Emanuel Pogatetz is another tall player. A consistent performer, he always gives 100% and is an aggressive tackler.

Midfield

One thing Middlesbrough do well is play with plenty of width.

They generally keep two out wide and are not afraid to switch play swiftly from one flank to the other with a long-range pass across the pitch, rather than two of three shorter ones, if they think someone has a yard of space on the opposition.

It means the Liverpool full-backs will have to be alert and look to close the wide players down quickly, either by getting a tackle in or denying them the space to run into.

The home midfield will be looking to stop Liverpool enjoying free reign.

George Boateng will bring a physical presence to the side in front of the back four. But while he has a protective role at the back, he can also get forward to support the front players.

Fabio Rochemback is good going forward but not as strong tracking back, so Liverpool will look to take the play beyond him. But the former Barcelona player has plenty of skill and ability on the ball.

In the absence of Arca, the home team will look to Gary O’Neil to provide a creative spark.

Attack

Ben Hutchinson is a player signed from non-League Arnold Town who made a scoring debut in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City. A real livewire of a player, he acts as a target man but with more mobility.

Adam Johnson is a tricky left winger whose chances are restricted by the presence of Stewart Downing, but occasionally the two are accommodated with Johnson pushing further forward. He likes to dribble and set up openings for his team-mates.

Dangerman

STEWART DOWNING - a player in form. If he plays well, so do Boro.

Overall verdict

A game both sides need to win for their own reasons.

Middlesbrough will need to play to the level they showed against Arsenal, when they showed a very high tempo from the first whistle.

Liverpool will need to perform at a higher level than they did against Luton in the FA Cup, but with Steven Gerard fit again to apply some much-needed drive from midfield, they can pick up the three points needed to keep their title ambitions alive.

Ronny Goodlass was talking to RICHARD WILLIAMSON