Liverpool were on top throughout the game with Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Morientes all coming close to opening the scoring in the first half. Momo Sissoko almost scored his first goal for the Reds before the break but saw his header comfortably gathered by Middlesbrough goalie Mark Schwarzer.
The last chance of the half fell to Peter Crouch but his shot was deflected wide by Chris Riggot.
After the break Liverpool continued where they'd left off but not before Mark Viduka forced a save from Pepe Reina minutes into the second half.
Harry Kewell, having his best game in a Red shirt since his return from injury, almost opened the scoring with a cute little lob that had Schwarzer scrambling.
The goal had to come though and when it did it was Fernando Morientes firing a shot past Schwarzer in the 71st minute after he was put through thanks to goos work from Gerrard and subsitute Luis Garcia.
Morientes added his and Liverpool's second five minutes later to end the game as a contest when he lobbed the Middlesbrough keeper for his third league goal of the season.
