An own goal in the first half from central defender Amara Nallo settled a tight affair on Merseyside.

Both sides battled for possession in the early stages of the contest, with attacking play sparse.

Liverpool were seeing more of the ball but were unable to create any sustained threat in the final third, as the opening quarter of an hour passed without a shot from either team.

In minute 16, however, James McConnell lifted a brilliant pass from midfield over the visiting defence and into the path of the onrushing Trent Kone-Doherty.

The winger volleyed at the first attempt, though saw his effort strongly beaten away by Boro goalkeeper Shea Connor.

The Reds again threatened a short while later, Trey Nyoni sprinting to the byline to cut a ball back for Ranel Young, with the forward swivelling inside the box to shoot past the far post.

It was Middlesbrough, though, who opened the scoring in the 23rd minute via a Nallo own goal.

The visitors burst down the right flank and Josh Dede swung in a dangerous cross into the area, with the retreating Nallo looping a header into the far corner of the net past Harvey Davies.

Liverpool attempted to respond through Kieran Morrison as he drove forward to the edge of the box to curl a shot at goal, which forced Connor to make a strong diving save to his right.

Kone-Doherty was providing a bright spark for the Reds on the right side, and another bursting run forward allowed Rio Ngumoha on the opposite flank to drive a shot wide.

Following the half-time interval, Middlesbrough spurned a good chance to double their lead almost instantly following the restart.

Jack Stott was alert to intercept a loose Nyoni pass across his own box, though stopper Davies reacted well to keep out the chance.

Liverpool pushed for a leveller as the second period carried on, with Morrison and Ngumoha both seeing shots blocked by the Boro defence.

On the hour, Kone-Doherty saw a wonderful opportunity thwarted by a brilliant double save from Connor.

His first halt kept an own goal out after Morrison's low ball was turned towards the net by George McCormick before Kone-Doherty drilled the rebound into the gloveman's clutches.

Connor kept the winger out again just minutes later, Morrison’s corner ball being flicked on by Lee Jonas, with Kone-Doherty's header pushed away once more from close range.

The goalkeeper was again worked by a McConnell deflected effort and a low drive from Isaac Mabaya from outside the box as Liverpool applied more pressure.

Substitute Keyrol Figueroa then guided a Nyoni cross inches past the post with a placed header, while Tommy Pilling – who also stepped off the bench – saw a half-volley saved inside the six-yard box.

Nallo almost made amends in the ninth minute of added time to earn a point, though his header struck the top of the Middlesbrough crossbar in the last of the action.

Liverpool: Davies, Mabaya, Jonas, Pinnington, Nallo, McConnell, Kone-Doherty, Nyoni, Young (Figueroa, 75), Morrison, Ngumoha (Pilling, 87).

Unused subs:Misciur, Spearing, Laffey.

The Reds return to Premier League 2 action next Sunday (March 9) when they host West Ham United.

Barry Lewtas' outfit will take on the Hammers at the Kirkby Academy in a 12.30pm GMT kick-off.