Karanka expecting Boro response this weekend

Aitor Karanka believes Middlesbrough’s defeat to Liverpool was the first time they’ve been played off the park this season but claims the players are already planning to right those wrongs against Swansea this weekend.

An Adam Lallana double and Divock Origi’s effort saw the Reds cruise to a 3-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday evening as Boro slipped to 17th in the Premier League standings.

Another home clash with Swansea – just one place below them in the table – now looms on Saturday afternoon, with Karanka’s troops looking to bounce back in style.

And the Spanish boss admits his team can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves for too long, despite the disappointing manner of the Liverpool reverse.

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“We have to keep going, knowing we have a really important game at home again against Swansea City this Saturday,” said Karanka.

“We have to remember how good we’ve been in the games before this, against Bournemouth and Hull City.

“It was difficult because before the Liverpool game we have competed against every team we’ve played.

“But I think they were the best team we’ve faced this season.

“We tried, especially in the second half with two new players, to press higher. It proved impossible to stop them. I can admit they were much better than us.

“But I can’t say anything bad about my players because they gave everything on the pitch.

“Now, all we think about is our important game with Swansea.”