Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has suggested that he will only select players who are fully fit for the game with Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Karanka left out both Alvaro Negredo and Gaston Ramirez when Boro faced Southampton at the weekend, with the key duo picking up minor knocks during training.

While Negredo is expected to return, doubts remain over Ramirez, and Karanka has indicated that he will only select the Uruguayan if he has recovered from the injury which kept him out at St Mary's.

The 43-year-old told reporters: "It's a tough game for us, but once again I will put the best team out to beat Liverpool.

"We don't want to take any risks with injuries, as we have a busy period of games coming up. Liverpool are a very good team, it will be tough as both of us will be playing at a very high intensity."

Middlesbrough will head into the game at the Riverside Stadium in 15th place in the Premier League table.