Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 1

But a deflected strike from Jamie Carragher - only his fifth-ever career goal - dragged Liverpool level in the 86th minute before Gerrard volleyed in a magnificent 20-yard effort with almost the last kick of the match.

Fernando Torres was hoping to become the first Liverpool player to score in nine successive home league games.

But the Spaniard was kept quiet by a Boro defence that, until the closing moments, had seemingly done enough to earn their first win at Anfield in 32 years.

Martin Skrtel made his first Liverpool appearance of the season in place of the injured Sami Hyypia at centre-back, while Robbie Keane and Andrea Dossena were handed their competitive home debuts.

Middlesbrough's chances weren't helped by first-choice goalkeeper Brad Jones dislocating a finger in the warm-up and having to be replaced by Ross Turnbull, the 23-year-old making only the sixth Premier League start of his career.

Liverpool struggled to find any rhythm during a low-quality first half in which Boro were always a danger on the counter-attack.

The best early chance for the visitors came in the 13th minute, when Andrew Taylor's rising 25-yard effort was helped on its way over by Pepe Reina's fingertips.

Liverpool finally roused themselves towards the interval when Keane and Torres showed signs of forging an understanding.

Read more at Liverpool Echo - and vote for your Man of the Match here