Liverpool 3 Middlesbrough 1

by Richard Tanner for "The Sunday Express"

Jamie Redknapp showed why Paul Gascoigne is yesterday's man when it comes to the international
stage as Liverpool showed both skill and steel to deepen Middlesbrough's problems. 

Redknapp produced another imperious midfield display to improve his chances of a starting display
against France at Wembley on Wednesday and put Gazza in the shade. 

Gerard Houllier has been calling for a combination of flair and determination to salvage a Champions
League place from a season of upheaval - and he got both yesterday with Redknapp leading the way. 

The skill came as Liverpool romped into a 3-0 half-time lead; the steel was needed when they were
reduced to 10 men early in the second half following Dominic Matteo's controversial dismissal for a foul on
Mikkel Beck. 

While Liverpool got back on the winning track after their defeats at Old Trafford and Highfield Road, and
took their goal tally to 16 in their last four home games, Boro' are in a worrying tailspin. 

Since winning at Old Trafford in mid December they have picked up only two points out of 18 to drop well
out of contention for a European place. 

And if the poor run continues they will soon be casting anxious glances over their shoulders at the drop
zone. Perhaps Juninho was wise to announce he is staying in Madrid until the summer. 

At least Boro produced a better performance than in their previous two away games and also ended their
goal drought with Phil Stamp netting their first Premiership goal for over six hours, late in the game. 

But you could see why Bryan Robson was so keen to inject Juninho's pace and creativity into his ageing
team. 

Gascoigne had plenty of the ball and showed some nice touches but he lacked the stamina and support
to overcome the subtlety of Redknapp and aggression of Paul Ince. 

The game turned not on the sending off but on the minute before half-time when Liverpool scored twice to
take their 3-0 lead and kill off Boro. 

Until then Robson's team were very much in the game despite Michael Owen's ninth-minute goal. 

Ince's header from Redknapp's corner was bouncing wide until Robbie Fowler launched himself into an
acrobatic overhead kick which sent the ball towards goal before Owen applied the final touch. TV replays
proved inconclusive, however, and Fowler might yet claim the goal. 

Ironically it was a booking for Ince for a tackle on Gascoigne - which will rule him out of the clash against
his first club, West Ham, in a fortnight's time which sparked Liverpool into the attacking frenzy that settled
the game. 

Liverpool's best move of the game created the second goal. Real Madrid-bound Steve McManaman who
received a good reception from the fans and Redknapp were involved before Stig Bjornebye crossed from
the left for his Norwegian compatriot Vegard Heggem to direct a volley into the top corner. 

A minute later McManaman cut in from the left, passed across the box where Owen controlled the ball
before Ince, bursting through, took it off his toe and shot it past Mark Schwarzer. 

Liverpool should have been home and dry but gave Boro' hope in the space of six mad minutes early in
the second half. 

David James, who was blamed by Houllier for Coventry's second goal last week, nearly gifted Boro a goal
after 57 minutes when his clearance rebounded off Brian Deane's back towards the net and the giant
goalkeeper had to scramble back to claw the ball off the line with Matteo getting back to prevent Deane
from tapping it home. 

It was to prove Matteo's last contribution. He was sent off for the first time in his career for appearing to
trip Beck as he raced clear onto Deane's pass. 

Liverpool players surrounded referee Peter Jones to protest that the Danish striker had dived and Beck
was then booed every time he touched the ball. 

Stamp pulled one back four minutes from time, after another sub Neil Maddison hit the post, but it was
too late to spark genuine hopes of salvaging a point as Liverpool moved into fifth place, their highest
position since Houllier assumed sole control in November. 

Liverpool (5-3-2): James 7; Heggem 7, Carragher 7, Matteo 6, Staunton 6, Bjornebye 6; Redknapp 8, Ince
9, McManaman 7; Owen 8 (Riedle, 80, 6), Fowler (Gerrard, 80, 6). Booked: Ince. Sent off: Matteo. Goals:
Owen 9, Heggem 44, Ince 45. 

Middlesbrough (5-3-2): Schwarzer 7; Festa 5 (Stamp, 62, 5), Cooper 6, Vickers 6, Pallister 6, Gordon 7;
Mustoe 6, Gascoigne 7, Townsend 5 (Maddison, 73, 5); Deane 5, Beck 5. Booked: Pallister, Mustoe.
Goal: Stamp 86. 

Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).