After conceding six goals in their last two matches due to defensive errors which are majorly traceable to Lloris Karuius, Jurgen Klopp succumbed to the pressure to drop the goalkeeper for the Middlesbrough game, though he tried to explain away.
Simon Mignolet was reinstated in between the sticks and he kept a clean sheet as Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners at the Riverside.
Karius has undergone serious scrutiny following his errors in the Reds’ 3-4 loss to Bournemouth and the 2-2 draw with West Ham. And there was serious call on Klopp to drop the German while some have also leapt to his defence.
The blip has seen them dropped from the top of the league standings to the third but they returned to the second position after the win last night, also taking advantage of Arsenal’s loss at Everton.
The Reds had not won the Riverside dating back to 14 years ago but Adam Lallana was the hero in the encounter while Divock Origi also continued his impressive scoring form.
Lallana scored twice and assisted another goal to ease the pressure off them. The English midfielder opened the scoring in the 29th minute before setting up Origi for the Reds’ second of the match 15 minutes after restart. The Belgian forward has now scored in each of his last five appearances for Liverpool – what an interesting record.
Lallana ensured there won’t be any chance of comeback for Middlesbrough as he scored his second of the match eight minutes later to seal the victory for his team.
They now face Everton in the Merseyside Derby with their confidence boosted.