Goals from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Bassang condemned Liverpool to a 2-1 Premier League defeat at White Hart Lane. Gerrard’s second-half spot-kick had cancelled out Assou-Ekotto’s strike, but Bassang making his Spurs debut headed Tottenham’s winner just four minutes later.

Fernando Torres played for the full 90 minutes of what was a frustrating afternoon for the Merseysiders. The defeat was the first time that Liverpool had lost a league game with Torres in the side since their 3-0 defeat at the hand of Manchester United back in March 2008.

The home side started the brightest enjoying a good spell of possession early on. Tottenham’s first effort on goal came on five minutes as Benoit Assou-Ekotto smashed his shot high and wide from the edge of the area.

It was a low-key start from Liverpool as Fernando Torres was on the end of a couple of hefty challenges. The Spurs team were giving the striker very little time on the ball as they looked to smother out the Reds’ main threat.

A nasty clash of heads between Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel had both players off receiving treatment. Carragher came back on with a head bandage as his Slovakian team-mate returned to the fray smarting from a cut to the mouth.

It was a quiet first-half for Heurelho Gomes in the Spurs goal as Rafa Benitez’ side were lacking attacking ideas. Liverpool’s first shot on goal didn’t arrive until the half hour mark as Steven Gerrard let fly from outside the box, but his right-footed effort flew wide of the post.

At the other end, Pepe Reina pulled off a great save to deny Robbie Keane to keep the scores level. The Liverpool number ‘1’ blocked his former team-mate’s point-blank header following good work from Luka Modric.

Tottenham took the lead just before half-time. Huddlestone's free-kick bounced kindly for Assou-Ekotto who sent an unstoppable effort into the top right hand corner.

Rafa Benitez’ team responded well to the home side’s goal, and in first-half stoppage time Fernando Torres played in Dirk Kuyt, but the Dutchman was dispossessed by Corluka before he could get a shot out.

It was Liverpool who started the second-half the brightest as Torres and Gerrard teamed up well. The striker teed up Gerrrard on the edge of the Tottenham area but unfortunately for the visitor’s the midfielder’s effort flew inches wide.

On 55 minutes Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Johnson was brought down by Gomes. Steve Gerrard made no mistake from the spot firing straight down the middle to draw the Reds level.

The Merseysiders’ joy however didn’t last long as Tottenham were back in front just four minutes later. Bassang beat Reina with a header from a Modric free-kick to put Spurs back in front.

Tottenham were defending well as the Reds were finding the going tough in the final third of the field. With just under twenty minutes remaining the shot count read 15 to 3 in favour of the home team.

Fernando Torres headed Johnson’s cross just wide of the left-hand post as the Anfield club pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

It was all Liverpool during the final ten minutes as the visitors looked to salvage a point. The Reds had a good shout for a penalty turned down as a cross from Torres struck Assou-Ekotto’s arm in the box, but the referee waved play-on.

There was no more time for Liverpool to produce an equaliser as the man in black blew his final whistle.



- Match Stats: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric (O'Hara, 84), Keane (Crouch, 68), Defoe (Pavlyuchenko, 90)

Booked: Lennon, Gomes, Assou-Ekotto

Goals: Assou-Ekotto 44, Bassang 60

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel (Ayala, 75), Insua, Kuyt (Voronin, 79), Mascherano, Lucas, Babel (Benayoun, 67), Gerrard, Torres

Booked: Mascherano, Carragher

Goals: Gerrard 56(pen)