Middlesbrough suffered a pre-match blow when skipper Alan Kernaghan was ruled out with a groin injury. Micky Mohan took his place in the heart of defence.
Ian Rush struck his third goal in three matches to give Liverpool a double over Middlesbrough and increase the north-east club's relegation fears.
The Welsh international spun round to shoot past Ian Ironside nine minutes from time.
Liverpool midfield player Don Hutchison celebrated his return to his native north-east with an early goal. The former Hartlepool player put his side ahead in the 11th minute after Ironside had parried a John Barnes shot.
But Middlesbrough quickly equalised through an own goal by Steve Nicol. Trying to clear Jimmy Phillips' free-kick, Nicol lobbed the ball over his own goalkeeper David James. Liverpool had looked the more threatening side in the early stages but Middlesbrough began to hit back after Nicol's lapse.
Liverpool goalkeeper David James moved out to the edge of the penalty area to check former Watford team-mate Paul Wilkinson.
Craig Hignett was wide with a 25-yard shot, the Liverpool midfielder Ronnie Whelan was booked for a foul on Andy Peake after 37 minutes.
Ian Rush set Steve McManaman clear on the right but McManaman failed to capitalise and finished with a weak shot wide of target even in an even first-half with Ironside the busiest goalkeeper.
The game heated up with Peake and Mohan of Middlesbrough, along with Liverpool substitute Mark Walters (for Ronnie Rosenthal) being booked, and Mark Wright was lucky to escape punishment after a foul on Paul Wilkinson.
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