Jurgen Klopp surprised everyone, dropping Loris Karius in goal and starting the much maligned Simon Mignolet.
The decision quickly paid dividends, especially when the big Belgian palmed away a Viktor Fischer blast to the near post shortly after the Reds took the lead. Mignolet courageously showed he is not ready to go away just yet.
For most of the match, Mignolet sat back and watched as a slightly make-shift back line remained solid and supported Liverpool’s growing domination of Middlesbrough.
After the break, Liverpool looked like they were ready to play with an anger that might have been expected at the weekend. The Reds looked determined to make their lead count and press home their advantage from the restart.
Against Boro, they found their hammer and Divock Origi delivered it, finishing a signature sequence of play that essentially ended the affair on aesthetics alone. It was precisely the kind of victory Liverpool needed to right the ship after a few blips.
Here are my player ratings from the game:
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