After another match that saw valuable points dropped against West Ham on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp travels to the North East to take on Middlesbrough tonight.

The German manager has aspirations of closing the gap on Chelsea at the summit of the Premier League, but the Reds must overcome the challenge presented by the newly-promoted Teesside outfit, who have been defensively resolute this term. This will be a more difficult task than it perhaps may have been a few weeks ago, as injuries are starting to decimate the squad Klopp has at his disposal.

Meanwhile, Boro go into the game with Liverpool hoping to take points of another title contender having already forced Manchester City and Arsenal to drop two points in recent weeks.

Aitor Karanka's side look a safe bet to avoid the drop this season, but Liverpool will be keen to add to their concerns over relegation.

With all this taking into consideration, we here at FootballFanCast believe Klopp must pick this starting XI at the Riverside Stadium...

GK: Loris Karius

Karius

The 23-year-old may be coming in for intense criticism of late, but Klopp must stand by the young German, as the long-term effects of dropping him now may outweigh the short-term consequences for Klopp.

Karius allowed Dimitri Payet far too much space to put his free-kick into on Sunday, but improvements will surely come if his confidence can be built up.

RB: Nathaniel Clyne

clyne

Clyne continues to impress for the Reds on a weekly basis and provides security in defence when others regularly fail to live up to expectations.

Against Boro, Clyne must cope with the intense pressure that comes from an Aitor Karanka side. Preventing former Reds star Stewart Downing from being able to deliver the ball from wide could see Liverpool overcome their North East challengers.

CB: Joel Matip

Football Soccer Britain - Liverpool v West Ham United - Premier League - Anfield - 11/12/16
Liverpool's Joel Matip in action with West Ham United's Andre Ayew 
Reuters / Phil Noble
Livepic
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

One of the bargains of the season, Matip has been sensational for Klopp's title challenging Liverpool.

The Cameroon international regularly outshines Dejan Lovren, and without the former Schalke defender, the Reds' defence would be in an almost critical state.

Matip's form must continue as he comes up against 'The Beast' in Alvaro Negredo. The physical battle between the duo could be a joy to watch.

CB: Lucas

Leeds' Kemar Roofe in action with Liverpool's Lucas Leiva

Dejan Lovren was forced to withdraw at half-time on Sunday after picking up a knock during the first-half's shambolic display against West Ham.

Coincidentally, the Reds kept a clean-sheet in Lovren's absence. Klopp must not risk playing the Croatian against Boro - not only is the Christmas fixture pile-up upcoming, but also Lovren's form is bordering atrocious.

Playing Lucas in defence might be a wise move, with the Brazilian better playing out from the back than Estonia international Ragnar Klavan.

LB: James Milner

James Milner

Continuing in his new left-back role we have Milner. The converted midfielder's weaknesses in the position have been a little exposed in recent weeks, but he's a far more dependable option than Alberto Moreno and is clinical from the penalty spot - which could be handy at some stage against Boro.

CM: Jordan Henderson

Football Soccer Britain - AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool - Premier League - Vitality Stadium - 4/12/16 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Jordan Henderson look dejected after the game  Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representat

With Emre Can a major doubt to make the contest in the North East, the role of Henderson to break up Boro's play becomes even more critical to the Reds' chances of success.

Henderson faces Middlesbrough for the first time and will be keen to make an impression on Teesside given his history with bitter rivals Sunderland.

CM: Georginio Wijnaldum

Football Soccer Britain - Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League - Anfield - 26/11/16 Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum in action Reuters / Phil Noble Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account representative for further details.     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Dutch international Wijnaldum has failed to make a significant impact on Merseyside following his big-money move from Newcastle.

Tonight will see him return to the North East for the first time since the move and it could be the perfect opportunity to silence his critics.

The fans are firmly behind Wijnaldum, but he needs to make a greater impact on the Reds' title challenge.

CM: Adam Lallana

Britain Soccer Football - Liverpool v Leicester City - Premier League - Anfield - 10/9/16 Liverpool's Adam Lallana celebrates scoring their third goal Reuters / Darren Staples Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

How good has Lallana been for Liverpool this season? The importance of the midfielder was only truly realised following an injury picked up on international duty for England.

Lallana goes into the contest with Boro high on confidence after yet another goal for the Reds this season, having scored against West Ham on Sunday.

RW: Sadio Mane

Britain Football Soccer - AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool - Premier League - Vitality Stadium - 4/12/16 Liverpool's Sadio Mane scores their first goal  Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further d

Despite Liverpool's contrasting form in recent weeks, Mane continues to be a shining light for Klopp. His pace and trickery have been impossible to defend against at times, and more of the same is required tonight.

Mane is Liverpool's biggest attacking threat in Philippe Coutinho's absence, and an inspiring performance is once again required against Boro, with George Friend set to return to action for Karanka's side.

LW: Roberto Firmino

Britain Football Soccer - Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League - Selhurst Park - 29/10/16
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring their fourth goal
Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley
Livepic
EDITORIAL USE ONLY.No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative

Firmino's form lately must be criticised as the Brazilian has had little impact on the first-team since his goal at Selhurst Park in early November.

With Coutinho ruled out of action for another few weeks, Firmino must step up and inspire the Reds to victory with a crucial performance against Boro.

It would be the ideal time for him to end his goal drought.

ST: Divock Origi

Football Soccer Britain - Liverpool v West Ham United - Premier League - Anfield - 11/12/16 Liverpool's Divock Origi celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Four goals in four games for Origi finally have Liverpool fans dreaming of another world-class centre-forward.

The Belgian has been living up to his potential in recent weeks as he has found the net with every opportunity presented to him.

Origi's run in the team is down to Coutinho's absence but dropping him anytime soon is something Klopp cannot even consider.