Fernando Morientes scored twice in five minutes Saturday to give Liverpool a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough and lift it into second place in the Premier League.
Liverpool is 12 points behind leader Chelsea, which beat Wigan 1-0 on a John Terry goal.
At Anfield, Morientes scored in the 72nd and 77th minutes to earn Liverpool's seventh straight league win. Middlesbrough's Chris Riggott was sent off in the 85th for two yellow cards.
The match was Liverpool's 10th straight clean sheet, equaling a club record set during the 1987-1988 season.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saved a dipping header by Morientes after 22 minutes. Gerrard sent two first-half efforts wide and had another saved, while Mohamed Sissoko headed at Schwarzer from 8m.
Middlesbrough's best chance was Gareth Southgate's wide shot from long range.
Liverpool moved one point ahead of Manchester United, which was eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday -- failing to make the knockout stage for the first time in 10 years. Manchester United plays Everton today.
Arsenal fell further behind the leaders when it lost 1-0 to Newcastle -- its second straight loss and fifth this season.
Newcastle kept out strong efforts from Thierry Henry, and after Arsenal's Gilberto Silva was sent off for a second yellow card in the 57th, scored through Nolberto Solano with eight minutes to go.
Chelsea leads the standings with 43 points, followed by Liverpool with 31, and Manchester United.
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