Liverpool lost yet more ground on Premier League front-runners Chelsea at the weekend and their supporters here in the Transfer Tavern are a little frustrated to say the least!

After being held to a 2-2 draw with West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, the Reds are now six points behind Antonio Conte’s side with a seriously hectic run of fixtures leading into and after Christmas.

The Reds just weren’t clinical enough against lowly West Ham and once again, their defensive weaknesses were exposed by a Hammers side that have struggled to score goals this season.

But with Sunday’s game now having been and gone, thoughts will very much turn to the tie against Middlesbrough on Wednesday, which has turned into an even bigger affair after the 2-2 draw.

Jurgen Klopp will have to line his troops up appropriately to get the result, but our landlord thinks he has a good idea of how he should do just that.

So with that in mind, here’s the Liverpool XI that he thinks will definitely beat Middlesbrough on Wednesday…

GK: Loris Karius

The young German has come under-fire in recent weeks for a couple of goalkeeping errors but it’s important Jurgen Klopp keeps the faith with his number one shot-stopper.

Despite some heckles in the pub this weekend after Dimitri Payet’s free-kick squeezed in, this lad has a bright future ahead of him and more game time will only make him better.

RB: Nathaniel Clyne

He’s been one of the Premier League’s best right-backs this season and the attacking threat he gives Liverpool on that right-hand side is just fantastic.

The former Southampton man has blossomed extremely well after making the move to Anfield and he seems to be very popular over in the Liverpool corner of the pub too. Always a good sign!

CB: Ragnar Klavan

Dejan Lovren was withdrawn from the draw with West Ham at half-time after a complaining of a hamstring problem and it’s unlikely he’ll be risked for the game against Middlesbrough if things aren’t 100%.

And with Liverpool’s defence still being criticised, it’s important that Ragnar Klavan steps in and does a good job as the man chosen to fill in at the back.

CB: Joel Matip

Made a costly error to let in Antonio for West Ham’s second and so the pressure is on the former Schalke man to bounce back.

He’s been cited as pretty solid up until now so he needs to get back to that level from here on in.

LB: James Milner

A man who doesn’t deserve much criticism at all; James Milner has been very good at left-back after being risked there by manager Jurgen Klopp.

The former Manchester City man has taken to defensive duties very well indeed and offers a far sturdier option on that left-hand side to Alberto Moreno.

CM: Georginio Wijnaldum

Former Newcastle United man Georginio Wijnaldum continues to impress in the middle of the park and we think he had a very strong afternoon against West Ham.

He was guilty of missing a couple of decent chances but week after week, he’s improving more and more and looks set to stick around for a good while yet.

CM: Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana came back into the starting line-up for the game against West Ham after spending some time on the sidelines through injury.

He scored Liverpool’s opener but compared to usual, was a little quieter, which could be put down to lack of match fitness after a spell out.

He’s a player that has more than enough quality to make things happen in big games and Liverpool could really do with a big performance from him in the tie against Boro on Wednesday.

CM: Jordan Henderson

He’s the heartbeat in this Liverpool side and very much an ideal replacement for captain Steven Gerrard, who once again turned up at Anfield to watch his former employers on Sunday.

He always wants the ball and his confidence seems to be through the roof. He was guilty of a couple of sloppy passes in the game against West Ham but if he’s back to his composed best against Middlesbrough, Liverpool should breeze through.

RW: Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane continues to prove he was one of the best buys of the summer and he turned out another decent display on Sunday too.

He was constant threat down the right-hand side and he didn’t allow Aaron Cresswell a moments rest all afternoon. With Philippe Coutinho out, a lot of the attacking burden will be placed on his shoulders.

ST: Divock Origi

Belgian striker Divock Origi has a fantastic opportunity to have a good crack at the Liverpool first-team after Philippe Coutinho’s injury and he didn’t hesitate once again at the weekend.

He scored Liverpool’s second in the draw with the Hammers – a clever finish after getting the ball out from underneath his feet.

The Reds fans here by the bar continue to be optimistic about his continued development and they have every right to have high hopes for his future – he certainly has the potential.

LW: Roberto Firmino

Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino is one of the main men in Liverpool’s forward line and Jurgen Klopp will be extremely reliant on him to create and dispatch chances in the continued absence of Philippe Coutinho in the coming weeks.

He was a little quiet in the draw with West Ham on Sunday afternoon and Reds fans will hope he’s not missing his partner whilst he’s out through injury.

Agree, Liverpool fans? Let us know below!