Southgate rues Boro draw
13 Jan 2008 - 10:30:56
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admitted he was a little disappointed after his side failed to hold on to their lead and beat Liverpool.
Boro had taken a 21st minute lead against the big-spending Merseysiders at the Riverside Stadium through midfielder George Boateng.
However, they ended up with only a solitary point as, after Stewart Downing had hit the post, the visitors responded through Fernando Torres' strike 20 minutes from full-time.
"Had we got the second when we hit the post, I think we would have won the game," claimed Southgate.
"But then you look at the guy who scored their goal and I think he cost about as much as our entire 16, and you think maybe it is not such a bad result.
"I am really pleased with the performance we gave because we got the biggest crowd of the season here and it was important we produced a good performance."
Meanwhile, Southgate took the opportunity to reiterate his claim that Downing is not for sale amid continued speculation linking the England winger with a move to Spurs.
"It's speculation, simple as that," he added.
"There is interest always in good players, but we have enquiries throughout the year and there has been nothing firmer than that.
"There is nothing, really, that has been anything out of the ordinary in my opinion."