Two goals from Adam Lallana and another from Divock Origi helped Liverpool ease past Middlesbrough.
Liverpool ran out comfortable winners in the end and were emphatic in dispatching a poor Middlesbrough side who struggled to cope all night with the pace of Sadio Mane.
Coming into the game, there had been much speculation around Liverpool keeper Loris Karius and Jurgen Klopp took him out of the firing line by starting Simon Mignolet.
A picture speaks 1,000 words... pic.twitter.com/WnmM58pFcm
The first real chance of goal came from a Middlesbrough set piece when James Milner conceded a sloppy free-kick. Ben Gibson met the resulting ball and forced a low save from Simon Mignolet.
Soon after that, the first goal of the game came from Liverpool. Good work from Nathaniel Clyne down the right saw him clip a lovely ball into the box where Adam Lallana was there to power a header home past Victor Valdes.
This goal seemed to rattle Middlesbrough and they came close through Fischer who forced Mignolet to produce a wonderful one handed save.
Then it was Liverpool's turn to turn the screw when a lively Sadio Mane burst through the Boro defence only to unfortunately hit the post with his shot.
In the second half Liverpool were determined to double their advantage and eventually did through Divock Origi who scored his fifth goal in five games. A beautifully crafted team goal with slick one touch passing saw Liverpool carve through the Boro defence where Adam Lallana turned provider to set up Origi.
2-0! WHO? ORIGIIIII!!! pic.twitter.com/82WwBkbCT2
Liverpool then added a third when Adam Lallana scored his second of the game after good build-up play between Origi and Lallana. Lallana smashed home from six yards to add his second of the game before being substituted for Lucas.
The league's lowest scorers looked deflated by this point and aside Adama Traore never tested Simon Mignolet enough on his return between the sticks.
Liverpool pushed for a fourth goal but were unable to score another but the third was significant as it lifted them above Arsenal in the table up to second.
Liverpool now turn their attention to the huge Merseyside Derby on Monday while Middlesbrough face a crunch game against fellow relegation rivals Swansea.
TEAM NEWS | Here's how #Boro will line up to face @LFC. #UTB pic.twitter.com/MYprEj2tes
Confirmed #LFC squad to face @Boro this evening #MIDLIV pic.twitter.com/G6xvAZzkwY