MIDDLESBROUGH arrive on the back of a much improved run, with just one defeat in their last 10 and still to lose on their travels in 2008.

Manager Gareth Southgate has got them playing with a much more solid shape at the back, with players like Stewart Downing and Julio Arca to spring them forward.

Defence

MARK SCHWARZER has proved himself one of the best, most consistent keepers in the Premier League.

The experienced Australian international has played more than 400 games and helped Boro win the Carling Cup in 2004 in a penalty shoot-out. Confident and commanding, he has a good record at saving penalties.

You can understand why Southgate was prepared to let Jonathan Woodgate go. David Wheater and Robert Huth, who will be hoping to have recovered from injury, make a formidable partnership. And both are still only 21 and 24 respectively. People forget Huth was only 17 when he signed for Chelsea, and there are not many teenagers who find it easy to adapt to life away from home in a foreign country and new league. The presence of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho also held him back a little. But since his £6million move north, the German international, although troubled by ankle problems, has established himself in the first team. Uses his height well at the back and up front, where he can be a danger at set-pieces. Also packs a powerful shot from free-kicks outside the area, so Liverpool must be wary of giving them away.

Wheater has come through the Academy and was a member of the FA Youth Cup-winning side of 2005. Another commanding figure in defence, he too will push forward at set-pieces.

Down the flanks Luke Young is a tough-tackling full-back who likes to overlap down the right while Austrian international Emanuel Pogatetz is another aggressive competitor who gives his all for the side and is also good in the air. Boro boast the tallest back four in the Premier League – and would be a match for the Everton Tigers basketball team!

Midfield

ARCA will try and dictate the tempo of the game while much of the attacking threat will be channelled through Downing.

These two work well together, but the key for Liverpool will be to stop Downing playing. Subdue him, and they will go a long way to winning the game. Gary O’Neil works extremely hard down the right flank, getting up and down the line and trying to support the front men when possible.

Attack

MIDDLESBROUGH will look to play a direct game aimed at Mido, if he wins the selection nod.

The Egyptian striker is the sort of player who could ruffle Liverpool with his physical approach, but he is also the sort who can drift out of games and not have much impact.

Dangerman

STEWART DOWNING – if you are one for statistics, then Downing is the Boro player who delivers the most crosses, the most passes and the most shots. For example, he produces twice as many crosses as O’Neil on the other flank.

The England player is pivotal to Boro, but makes it obvious how Liverpool can restrict the visitors’ game-plan.

Overall verdict

LIVERPOOL fans will be waiting to see which team turns up – the one that lost to Barnsley or the one that beat Inter. An important game in the race for fourth and the home team can edge the verdict.

Ronny Goodlass was talking to RICHARD WILLIAMSON