Liverpool have recorded just one victory in their last four Premier League games and will be determined to avoid another setback at Middlesbrough.
Jurgen Klopp's men were the Premier League's pacesetters during the previous international break, but have only beaten Sunderland in the division since.
Injuries have affected attacking output and options, as well as the Reds' fluency, which has resulted in less authority and more defensive issues.
This is the first meeting between Liverpool and the hosts since 2008-09, when Middlesbrough ran out 2-0 winners at the Riverside - Klopp will want no such repeat.
LIVERPOOL INJURIES
Liverpool's squad has been depleted in recent weeks and the injuries continue to roll in. Emre Can is nursing a knee problem but is expected to be fit for next Monday's Merseyside derby at Everton, while Dejan Lovren picked up cramp in his hamstring in the 2-2 draw with West Ham.
Daniel Sturridge is still dealing with a calf complaint, while Marko Grujic has a tendon issue to overcome.
Philippe Coutinho remains sidelined with ankle ligament damage, but hopes to return for the New Year's Eve hosting of Manchester City.
LIVERPOOL SUSPENSIONS
Neither Liverpool nor Middlesbrough have any suspensions to contend with.
LIVERPOOL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP
Ragnar Klavan could continue to partner Joel Matip in the heart of defence after replacing Dejan Lovren at half-time against West Ham.
Given Klopp's limited options, especially in attack, the Reds boss is not expected to shuffle beyond enforced changes.
MIDDLESBROUGH DOSSIER
Aitor Karanka's men have won just one of their last five league encounters, but they managed to hold Manchester City to a draw and make Chelsea toil for a 1-0 victory.
Antonio Conte described them as "well organised" and "hard to break down" something Arsenal found out in October as they had to settle for a stalemate.
Klopp echoed this in his pre-match preview, stating: "Unfortunately, they are a very difficult side to play, because they haven’t scored a lot until now but they don’t concede a lot.
“They are a football-playing side with quite skilled players. We made the opposition analysis this morning and it’s really interesting to see what they are capable of. It’s an interesting challenge, I would say.
“It’s never easy in the Premier League, but this game of course is not easy. But we don’t care too much; we take their skills, we take their qualities, we take their weaknesses only for analysis and then we have to play our game. If there is something we can use, we try to, that’s all.
“As a promoted team, maybe it’s not that likely that you have this quality, that’s really good – experience everywhere, actually, a mixture of international experience and Championship experience.
“The players collected a lot of experience in the Championship and then they bring in [more]. I don’t know how often [Victor] Valdes won the Champions League! And all the offensive players, there’s real quality. That’s what you have to respect.
“They played quite differently against different sides. In one moment they are a real possession side but on the other hand, against Arsenal and City for example, they only had 20 per cent possession or something.
“That’s all part of the truth. They are flexible in the way they play but always difficult to play. At the end, they didn’t collect 500 points with this, that’s another part of the truth.
“So we have to use our experience from the last few games and try to do better and win. That’s the plan, of course – we try it all the time.”
Key duo Gaston Ramirez (foot) and Alvaro Negredo (hamstring) remain doubtful.
BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS
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Liverpool haven’t won a Premier League game in Middlesbrough since March 2002, drawing four and losing three contests there since.
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Middlesbrough have attempted only 38 shots on target in the Premier League this season, a league-low.
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Liverpool have scored the most goals (37), has the most shots in total (280) and attempted the most shots on target (101) in the division.
TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME
Kick off is at 19:45 local time and the game is not televised in the UK.
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- Goal