Middlesbrough v Liverpool 17/08/96 3.00

Middlesbrough           (2) 3 Liverpool               (2) 3 FT
Ravanelli 26 (pen),36,81      Bjornebye 4
                              Barnes 29
                              Fowler 65

Fabrizio Ravanelli wasted no time in repaying a huge chunk of his £7million transfer fee with a stunning hat-trick on his Carling Premiership debut for Middlesbrough in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool.

The former Juventus striker is reportedly earning £42,000 a week, but on the evidence of this display Teesside fans will believe the club have got great value for money.

Ravanelli struck twice in the first half, once from the penalty spot, and the Italian international completed his hat-trick with nine minutes to go.

That late strike gave Middlesbrough a point from an enthralling encounter in front of a record home crowd of 30,039.

Ravanelli was not the only Middlesbrough player making his debut. Brazilian Emerson, a £4million buy from Porto, was drafted into midfield, but he struggled to make an impact.

However, it said much for Middlesbrough's resilience that they were able to take something from the game, as they came from behind three times in the match.

Liverpool opened the scoring after just four minutes, when Stig Bjornebye powered the ball home after John Barnes had played a free kick into the Middlesbrough penalty area.

Middlesbrough equalised after 27 minutes when Mark Wright and Jason McAteer both challenged Juninho. The Brazilian went down and referee Paul Alcock immediately awarded a penalty.

Ravanelli powered an unstoppable shot into the corner and celebrated by pulling his shirt over his head.

Liverpool regained the lead on the half-hour when Barnes stole into the penalty area, chested the ball down and steered it home via a post.

However, it took Middlesbrough only six minutes to get back into the game. Nick Barmby played a free kick down the line to Neil Cox and Ravanelli was on the spot in the area to steer the ball wide of keeper David James.

Liverpool looked to have sewn the game up in the 65th minute, when Middlesbrough's defending was again suspect. Bjornebye floated in a cross and Fowler, unmarked, swept the ball home.

Ravanelli, however, had the last word with nine minutes to go when Juninho did well to win the ball off Steve McManaman. Robbie Mustoe was unable to get in a shot, but the ball broke to Ravanelli, who made no mistake.

The man known as `The White Feather' almost got a fourth, but keeper James made a brave block from his close-range effort.

Middlesbrough: Miller, Cox, White, Vickers, Pearson, Emerson, Barmby, Mustoe, Juninho (Moore, 83), Ravanelli, Fleming.

Subs not used: Walsh, Whelan, Hendrie, Hignett.

Booked: , Emerson.

Liverpool: James, Babb, Bjornebye, McAteer, Wright, Matteo, McManaman, Collymore, Fowler, Barnes, Thomas.

Subs not used: Warner, Jones, Ruddock, Thompson, Carragher.

Booked: Wright, McManaman.

Attendance: 30,039.

Referee: P Alcock (Redhill).