Liverpool are back on track after their recent stutter and this was exactly the kind of convincing, low-maintenance win required after a trying 10 days.
Two goals from Adam Lallana sandwiched a wonderfully worked effort from Divock Origi and did more than enough to see off a below-par Middlesbrough; it also sent Jurgen Klopp’s side into second place, above Arsenal, in the process.
Lallana’s opener came after 29 largely cagey minutes in which neither goal was unduly threatened. Its creation was simple enough, beginning when Sadio Mane spread the ball wide to the advancing Nathaniel Clyne. The right-back’s cross was dipping and dangerous and it was met decisively by the onrushing Lallana, who beat Adam Forshaw to the ball and planted an unstoppable header past Victor Valdes.
The right-back’s cross was dipping and dangerous and it was met decisively by the onrushing Lallana, who beat Adam Forshaw to the ball and planted an unstoppable header past Victor Valdes.
The goal did prompt a response from ‘Boro, who had been content enough to operate on the counter. Viktor Fischer’s angled effort drew a sharp save from Simon Mignolet (recalled here in place of Loris Karius) before Forshaw sought to make amends with a low drive towards the far post, blocked by — of all people — Lallana.
Lallana’s second of the night came from another devastating break: he finished at the far post after Moss had played a good advantage, allowing Origi to centre after a foul on Mane.
Origi’s goal made it five in as many games for the Belgian striker and his form could not have come at a better time for Liverpool, who had begun to look tired of late.
There was a time when the absences of both Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho would have spelled trouble; Origi, whose scoring streak began last month when he prised open Sunderland’s defence late on, has had a career of fits and starts at Liverpool but is still just 21 and there are encouraging signs that his game is developing significantly.