Mellor the hotshot as Pool's rising stars outgun Boro

Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 0

The 21-year-old striker made the most of a rare first-team appearance to notch goals in the 83rd and 89th minutes.

Coach Rafael Benitez gave some of his promising youngsters a run-out against the holders and they did him proud. Mellor, Darren Potter, Zak Whitbread and Stephen Warnock were all included from the start, while John Welsh and Ritchie Partridge came off the bench.

Liverpool made a bright start and Igor Biscan stung the fingers of goalkeeper Carlo Nash with a shot from distance. Then Potter found himself in space on the edge of the area only to send his effort over.

Middlesbrough were again caught on the back foot in the seventh minute when Biscan picked out Pongolle in a good position. However, he was caught in two minds and delivered a tame cross into the arms of Nash.

Pongolle then saw his effort parried by Nash in the 19th minute and Warnock quickly latched on to the rebound. Warnock delivered the ball back into the area but Mellor headed over from eight yards.

Middlesbrough were beginning to show and James Morrison delivered a good ball into the path of Joseph Desire-Job but he was unable to take advantage. Then Frank Queudrue got away from his marker only to send his header from Morrison’s cross over.

This was a worrying spell for Liverpool with Biscan forced to take an influential role.

Zenden found the net for Middlesbrough in the 41st minute, yet his effort was disallowed for offside.

Middlesbrough began the second half brightly and Downing picked out Job with a good through-ball after 48 minutes. He turned quickly inside the area but misdirected his shot off target in a let-off for Liverpool.

Zenden almost put Boro ahead in the 70th minute when his shot rebounded off Stephane Henchoz.

Middlesbrough kept up the pressure and Doriva cracked in a 25-yard shot after 75 minutes which was superbly turned away by Dudek.

Job was then inches away from giving the visitors the lead three minutes later when his effort came back off the post.

Liverpool rallied and made the breakthrough in the 83rd minute when Partridge released Mellor.

He showed a cool head in front of the Kop to clip a shot over Carlo Nash and into the net. Mellor completed the job a minute from time when he scored from close range after Potter had won the ball off Zenden.

LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Henchoz, Whitbread, Traore, Potter, Biscan, Diao (Welsh 75), Warnock (Riise 82), Sinama Pongolle (Partridge 69), Mellor.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Nash, Davies, Cooper, Riggott, Queudrue, Morrison (Graham 81), Doriva, Zenden, Downing, Job, Viduka.

Ref: H Webb.