Reds on a roll as Morientes rediscovers goal touch

Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 0

The Spaniard had only managed seven goals in 35 appearance for the club before netting his first Premiership double against a determined - but eventually over-powered - Middlesbrough, stretching Liverpool’s impressive run to their seventh successive league victory.

The win meant Liverpool have gone 10 games without defeat and 10 in succession without conceding a goal, equalling the club record. While the defence excelled, however, the strikers struggled to find goals despite playing well.

To have the demons driven away from Crouch and Morientes in successive weekends before setting off for the World Club Championships in Japan, was the perfect answer for boss Rafael Benitez.

Morientes scored with a close-range finish from Luis Garcia’s cross and then a clever chip over Mark Schwarzer in the closing stages as Liverpool underlined the growing belief they can make a sustained challenge to Chelsea’s title stranglehold.

Man-of-the-match Sami Hyypia was impressed with Morientes, who arrived from Real Madrid last season.

He said: “Fernando has shown in training the quality he has, these two goals give him more confidence and he will keep scoring. He has had a difficult time, he was cup-tied in Europe last season and then injured, and he has had a lot of criticism because he did not score frequently.

“It has not been easy for him, but he is a quality player and he has shown what he can do.

“We have all been helping him and encouraging him. Now it has paid off.”

Morientes scored his first when Hyypia was off the field. “I actually saw our first goal in the dressing room while I was having treatment, so that was pretty strange. I was on the treatment table and I saw the goal on the TV and heard the roar.”

Hyypia was back for the second and able to help Liverpool maintain their impressive run that has taken them within sight, if not touching distance, of leaders Chelsea.

They will hope to return from Japan as world champions and the confidence to maintain their pursuit of the west Londoners.

Hyypia said: “When we get back it is all about catching Chelsea. We must just concentrate on the games and not pay too much attention to the table.

“But it is better to look at the table now rather than a few weeks ago, we just need to realise that we must keep going the way we are. We cannot rest and take our foot off the pedal.

“Maybe this is a serious target for us now, we just have to try to win them all and keep this run going.”

Boro boss Steve McClaren, who was upset by the red card for the excellent Chris Riggott near the end, is convinced Liverpool can stay the course.

He said: “I have always felt they can make a sustain challenge for the title this season. They have confidence and belief and I have immense respect for what they are doing and can achieve.”

Opta Fact: Liverpool have not conceded a goal in their last 15 hours and 24 minutes of football this season.

Opta Fact: Chelsea remain the only opposition team to score a goal at Anfield this season.