LIVERPOOL stepped up their title bid with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Goals from Emile Heskey and John Arne Riise took Gerard Houllier's side to the top of the Premiership and condemned Boro to their first home defeat since mid-December.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was forced to make a change just an hour before kick-off when Noel Whelan was sent home with a viral infection. Young Australian Luke Wilkshire was drafted in for his home debut.

Boro started well and almost took the lead through former Reds skipper Paul Ince, whose effort zipped just wide of Jerzy Dudek's goal.

But it was the visitors who broke the deadlock through England striker Heskey.

Nicolas Anelka's cross from the left found Dietmar Hamann and the German's drive was cleared as far as Heskey, who drilled home from close range.

Boro began the second half in similar fashion to the first and almost drew level when Franck Queudrue's header was cleared off the line by Vladmir Smicer.

For all their possession, Boro struggled to break down a resolute Liverpool defence and the visitors doubled their advantage with seven minutes left.

Norwegian Riise received the ball on the edge of the Boro box and let fly with an unstoppable left-foot drive beyond Mark Schwarzer.

Boro were given some hope when Gareth Southgate headed home from close range but Liverpool hung on to go top.