Liverpool vs Middlesbrough Preview, Team News, Line-Ups, Betting Tips & Prediction

Liverpool simply need to win when they entertain Middlesbrough at Anfield on Sunday afternoon to ensure they finish in the top four.

The Reds tightened their grip on fourth place with a resounding 4-0 win over West Ham last weekend but Arsenal moved to within just one point with victory over Sunderland in midweek.

It means Liverpool just need to match the Gunners result to secure Champions League qualification but with the north Londoners hosting Everton, Jurgen Klopp will want to avoid any doubt by beating Middlesbrough at Anfield tomorrow.

They should be confident of doing so as the Teessiders arrive on Merseyside having already been relegated to the Championship so to be honest, if Liverpool can’t beat a relegated team at home then they don’t deserve to be playing in the Champions League next season.

Team news

The hosts will hand a late fitness test to Roberto Firmino as he’s been unable to take part in full training this week due to a muscle injury which kept him out of the West Ham game.

The Brazilian international was in light training yesterday and Klopp was confident at his press conference on Friday that Firmino would be available so I think we’ll see him return to the side.

Daniel Sturridge will be hoping to keep his place after scoring the vital opening goal against the Hammers but Jordan Henderson remains out with a foot injury.

Middlesbrough will be without Gaston Ramirez and Victor Valdes but Daniel Ayala could be back in the squad.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough: The Reds were excellent against West Ham last weekend and they should be more than confident of beating relegated Middlesbrough at home to secure fourth place. Klopp will have them right up for this game and I don’t expect any drama at Anfield tomorrow. I’m backing Liverpool to ease to a 3-0 win and book their place in the Champions League next season.

Betting Tips

Liverpool are the 2/11 favourites with the bookmakers but we can get new customers enhanced odds of 25/1 on the visitors- just click here to take advantage of these crazy odds [winning paid in free bets, T&C’s apply]

Here are some other bets I like the look of:

• Both teams to score NO at: 1/2 – a £10 bet would return £15
• Exact score of 3-0 Liverpool win at: 5/1 – a £10 bet would return £60
• Coutinho to score first in a 3-0 Liverpool win at: 14/1 – a £10 bet would return £150