Liverpool's title ambitions suffered a huge blow as they went down 2-0 at struggling Middlesbrough. The Reds drop to third after a Xabi Alonso own goal just after the half hour set Boro up for a surprise three points.

Middlesbrough sealed the win and a forgettable day for the visitors when Tuncay Sanli turned made it two on 60 minutes.

This win, their first in 15 league outings, sees Middlesbrough climb out of the bottom three, just one point above the drop zone.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate thought the result would give his team confidence to avoid the drop.

"We have shown in the our last three games with four points from two league games and an FA Cup win how we can play.

"We have had four clean sheets in six games and the confidence is flowing back through the players and the crowd carried us through at the end.

"This win should give the players an unbelievable amount of belief."

"In the first 30 minutes we had around five chances and we did not take them." rued Reds boss Rafa Benitez.

"If before this game it was going to be difficult to win the league then it is clearly now going to be even harder.

"We have to think about Sunderland next before preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League."