Liverpool really needed that. The Reds’ title aspirations had taken a bit of a knock before kick-off on Teesside, with a loss at Bournemouth and a draw at home to West Ham in their last two games having left them with just one point from a possible six.To make matters worse, Chelsea and Arsenal had been in good form over the same period, and another poor result at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium would have left a worrying gap between the Merseysiders and their rivals.So, goals from Adam Lallana (x2) and Divock Origi saw collective sighs of relief come from the mouths of Kopites, who were thoroughly relieved with a three-point haul when the final whistle rang around Boro’s home ground.The result lifted Liverpool back up to second in the Premier League thanks to Arsenal’s loss on Tuesday and here are FIVE pictures that summed up a special night for Klopp and his troops…

Karius raging…

The big talking point before the game was Jurgen Klopp’s decision to drop Loris Karius from his XI after the German’s recent blunders against Bournemouth and West Ham. The much-maligned Simon Mignolet stepped in in the ex-Mainz man’s place, and, as the above picture shows, the summer signing didn’t take it too well.

Super Lallana

Liverpool needed a goal to ease worries early on at Boro and it was quite apt that it came via, arguably, their player of the season so far, Adam Lallana. The midfielder ghosted in at the back post and headed home a lovely cross from Nathaniel Clyne.

He enjoyed it, too!

Five-in-five for Origi

Talk about taking his chance! Divock Origi has stepped into the Liverpool team with Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge out and has made a case to stay in even when the duo return. His neat effort at Boro was his fifth in as many games and illustrated his striker’s instincts.

Lallana at the double

Talking stats, Lallana made it 3-0 in the second half to take his goal and assist tallies to six apiece this term. Again the midfielder latched onto a pass across the area, but instead of heading, this time he coolly put the ball into the net with his left foot.

He celebrated with Origi… and a fan that made it onto the turf!

On the rise

Liverpool needed the win, and with Arsenal having slipped up at their big Merseyside rivals, Everton, the Reds had the added incentive of being able to go back up to second and keep the pressure on Chelsea. Although not a picture of the actual game, Kopites will love seeing their team move up the table once again!