Liverpool started the game on fire and could have taken the lead after only two minutes but Krisztian Nemeth's 25 yard lob went narrowly over the bar. Nemeth had another chance minutes later but sent the ball the wrong side of the post from six yards out.
Middlesbrough had their only chance of the half on 13 minutes but Stephen Thompson headed over the bar. David Martin was back in goal for the Reds and had an easy night on his return.
It was a telling miss for Middlesbrough as five minutes later Liverpool took the lead. A corner wasn't cleared properly and the ball fell to Ronald Huth who volleyed home.
Huth had cheekily tried to claim the own goal opener in last week's mini-derby as his own but there was no doubt about his fine strike this time around.
Liverpool continued to dominate the half with Jay Spearing and Damien Plessis both coming close to adding a second and Nemeth having a decent penalty shout after being brought down in the box.
Middlesbrough did start the second half better, forcing Stephen Darby into a last ditch tackle to prevent their striker getting a shot off but the Reds soon took control of the game again.
Sebastian Leto knocked a short free kick to Nemeth and the Hungarian striker proceeded to score a carbon copy of his first goal against Everton last week. Nemeth has now scored five times in three games for the reserves.
A defensive mix up just after the hour mark allowed Jay Spearing a clear shot at goal. The chance was created by a Boro cock up but take nothing away from Spearing, it was an excellent finish into the bottom right hand corner.
The Middlesbrough defenders seemed to lose their heads at this stage and they had John Johnson sent off after 70 minutes for two yellow cards after a spate of dirty tackles in a matter of minutes.
Spearing made it 4-0 on 77 minutes with probably the best goal the reserves have scored this season. Liverpool were awarded a free-kick more than thirty yards out and noticing the goalkeeper was off his line Spearing looped the ball over his head and into the net.
Liverpool continued to play some nice football and could have added a fifth with Jordy Brouwer, Emiliano Insua and subsitute Ray Putterill all having chances.
4-0 it finished however, to send the Reds to the summit before the Christmas break, two points ahead of second placed Sunderland.
