Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has praised the improvement made by goalkeeper Victor Valdes since he came to the Riverside Stadium.
The Spanish coach signed the former Barcelona player over the summer after he was released by Manchester United having fallen out of favour with former boss Louis van Gaal.
Valdes has gone on to deliver a number of crucial performances this season for Boro, who have conceded six goals fewer than any other team in the bottom half of the table.
"I cannot speak about what is happening at Liverpool but my experience with Victor is that he's improving a lot," Karanka said ahead of the visit of Jurgen Klopp's side on Wednesday evening.
"At the beginning he wasn't at the level he is now but it is understandable. He came from a long period of not playing and before that he came from Barcelona.
"For him it was difficult at the beginning. Maybe I helped him, I had a few meetings with him and now he's doing well."
Middlesbrough will head into their midweek game in 15th place in the Premier League table.
Giuseppe Labellarte
