Liverpool ruined Bryan Robson's Christmas to end Middlesbrough's 14-month unbeaten home run in the league.

A stunning 89th-minute goal from wing-back Vegard Heggem confirmed victory as the visitors assumed control after the break.

Jamie Carragher had given his side the lead on 17 minutes, but it took a piledriver from Jamie Redknapp to restore the advantage before half-time after Brian Deane had equalised.

The defeat brought an end to Boro's impressive run, which would have stretched to 465 days had they picked up at least a point, but they could hardly argue with the result.

It was a win the visitors thoroughly deserved after matching Robson's side for effort and making much better use of their possession.

Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler always had the Boro defence on the back foot, while Hamilton Ricard and Deane rarely managed to put the Liverpool back three under extreme pressure.

And as the men at the back grew in confidence, there was only going to be one winner.

Boro's charge to the upper reaches of the Premiership has been no fluke, and although they under-performed on a bitterly cold day on the banks of the Tees, this result will provide a massive shot in the arm to the men from Merseyside.

The home side set out determined to complete a virtually flawless home league programme in 1998, but although they always looked capable of creating problems, they were never as assured as they have been in recent weeks.

With Redknapp and Paul Ince making life difficult for Paul Gascoigne and Andy Townsend, Boro were never really able to exercise any control in the middle of the field, and left wing-back Dean Gordon proved their main supply line.

Boro were unusually shaky at the back, and while Liverpool's rearguard has been under fire for months, they coped better with the quiet Hamilton Ricard and Deane.

It was an end-to-end affair before the break, and it was the visitors who took the lead slightly against the run of play.

Ince, who had seconds earlier escaped after his appalling header fell straight to Ricard, was far more effective inside the Boro area when he headed down Redknapp's free-kick and defender Carragher stabbed the ball home.

The lead lasted just 15 minutes as Boro managed to force their way back into the game from a free-kick.

Gascoigne delivered the ball perfectly to Deane, who rose to head past David James for his fifth of the season.

But if the home fans expected that to be the platform for a victory charge, their hopes were shattered four minutes later.

Owen left Pallister in his wake down the Liverpool right, and although Mark Schwarzer did well to get a hand to the striker's attempted chip, he then undid his good work by picking up the loose ball as it rebounded off Pallister.

Ince tapped the ball sideways to Redknapp 12 yards out, and his fierce drive flew into the top corner to restore the lead. Pallister's involvement came to an end at half-time, and the man who did so much to secure the famous victory at Manchester United seven days earlier must have been secretly delighted to have seen the last of Owen.

But while both teams toiled after the break, there was far more effort than quality, and in truth, neither really looked like altering the scoreline as the half wore on.

Boro's approach work became less convincing as they launched a series of high balls into the box which were dealt with comfortably by James.

Ricard had appeals for a penalty turned down on 73 minutes when he crumpled in a heap after running into Steve Staunton inside the box, a sign of his side's desperation with time running out.

Reds boss Gerard Houllier effectively shut up shop 14 minutes from time when he replaced Owen with Steve McManaman, the midfielder's first action in seven weeks.

McManaman had a great chance to mark his return with a goal two minutes later, but his attempted volley from Heggem's cross was less than successful.

Ricard saw a late header go just over, but Heggem wrapped up the points a minute from time with a lovely finish after creating space for himself inside the penalty area.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Gordon, Vickers, Festa, Pallister (Fleming 46), Gascoigne, Deane, Maddison (Stamp 72), Townsend (Beck 79), Ricard, Cooper.

Subs Not Used: Beresford, Moore.

Booked: Gascoigne, Pallister, Festa, Cooper.

Goals: Deane 32.

Liverpool: James, Staunton, Babb, Fowler (Riedle 60), Owen (McManaman 76), Redknapp (Harkness 89), Heggem, Berger, Ince, Bjornebye, Carragher.

Subs Not Used: McAteer, Friedel.

Booked: Babb, Bjornebye, Riedle.

Goals: Carragher 17, Redknapp 35, Heggem 88.

Att: 34,626

Ref: G Poll (Tring).