The walls of fortress Riverside came tumbling down as Liverpool ended the home side's 14-month unbeaten home run.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Dave Woods reports from the Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough had Paul Gascoigne back in the side but he was rarely given any time and space by fellow England internationals Paul Ince and Jamie Redknapp.

Jamie Carragher, Redknapp and Veggard Heggem scored Liverpool's goals, with 'Boro's lone reply coming courtesy of Brian Deane's header.

A lofty position

The home side began the game in fourth place and looking to prove they are genuine title contenders.

Paul Gascoigne: A frustrating afternoon

Gascoigne returned in place of the injured Robbie Mustoe after missing the 3-2 win at Manchester United, while visiting manager Gerrard Houllier sent out the same team which beat Sheffield Wednesday in their last game.

There were openings at both ends in the first half with Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler keeping the home defence on their toes and Dean Gordon providing the main supply line for 'Boro down the left flank.

Ince was lucky when Hamilton Ricard failed to make the most of a poor defensive header, but he did better at the other end in the 17th minute by nodding down Redknapp's free-kick for Jamie Carragher to force the ball home.

A free-kick led to Middlesbrough's equaliser 15 minutes later when Gascoigne delivered a perfect ball for Deane to climb and head past David James - his fifth goal since returning to England from Portugal.

But the home side soon found themselves behind again when goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was penalised for picking the ball up after it had rebounded off defender Gary Pallister.

Ince tapped the ball sideways and Redknapp lashed the ball into the top corner.

Veggard Heggem: Sealed Liverpool's win

There was more effort than quality in the second half, but Liverpool gave Steve McManaman his first senior run-out for seven weeks when he replaced Owen with 14 minutes left.

Middlesbrough had appeals for a penalty turned down after Ricard collided with Steve Staunton inside the box and the Colombian was just too high with a late header.

But they slipped two rungs down the Premiership ladder when Norwegian defender Heggem made space for himself and beat Schwarzer with an excellent finish to underline Liverpool's victory.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Gordon, Vickers, Festa, Pallister, Gascoigne, Deane, Maddison, Townsend, Ricard, Cooper. Subs: Fleming, Beck, Beresford, Stamp, Kinder.

Liverpool: James, Staunton, Babb, Fowler, Owen, Redknapp, Heggem, Berger, Ince, Bjornebye, Carragher. Subs: McAteer, McManaman, Harkness, Riedle, Friedel.