Tottenham Hotspur against Liverpool

Decent Spurs defending as Benayoun charged towards the area on the break, he looked for Voronin who let it run a bit too far before he is blocked off by Assou-Ekotto. Rafa screams pen but Dowd says no.

Ayala tussles with Defoe on the byline and gives away a free kick.

Jamie O'Hara is coming on to try and shore things up and Luka Modric comes off.

King gets a vital touch on Gerrard's cross to prevent Torres tapping in. Pressure mounting.

Johnson sends in a ball that hasn't enough whip on it and Bassong clears. Ledley King is hurting, big time. His knee is all bone no cartlidge you know. Nasty.

Lennon gives Spurs' defence a breather after flying down the wing. His cross goes out for a throw before Palacios' cross is claimed by Reina.

Liverpool setting up camp in Spurs' final third now as their defence sinks ever deeper.

Benayoun works some space and hits a shot that deflects off Ledley King and out for a corner. Kuyt makes way for Voronin.

Ooh, now you're in trouble Spurs, here comes Andriy Voronin!

Daniel Ayala comes on for Skrtel, who is still clearly struggling with his chin knock.

Crouch wins his first header after Assou-Ekotto floated it in but it is right at Reina.

Gerrard plays a nice one two with Benayoun and gets into the area but his left foot shot is weak and Gomes saves easily.

Great ball in from Johnson and Torres can't quite get on top of it and his header flashes wide.

King makes amends after his header went right to Torres. He then puts in a great tackle to win the ball back.

Good break from Spurs as Defoe feeds Lennon but his cross flashes past Crouch. Then Modric strikes one from the subsequent throw but it is well wide.

Now Keane makes way for Peter Crouch. If Spurs don't win this it is his fault.

Johnson comes forward again - he's been Liverpool's best attacking player - and is chopped down by Assou-Ekotto, who is booked. Babel makes way for Benayoun.

Keane darts past Lucas and has a pop but though it is speeding like a bullet, Reina gets right behind it.

Insua knocks in a decent looking ball but there are no red shirts in the area.

Benayoun is preparing to come on.

Gomes claims a looping ball and catches Torres with his boots, accidentally.

Gomes palms Gerrard's effort over the bar even though it was right at him. Another Gomes wobble?

Now Liverpool win a free kick on the left. The game is alive after that opening half an hour of dross.

Modric floats in the free kick and Bassong rises to nod past Reina! He was a Newcastle player a week ago, now he's potted one against Liverpool on debut. Not bad eh?

GOAL! Bassong! Spurs lead again!

Now Carragher gets booked for pulling back Defoe, who got the right side of him. A yellow all day long.

Defoe turns on the box edge and Carragher does well to block. Liverpool clear the corner.

A great run from Johnson, who jinked inside two Spurs players and drew Gomes into the foul, though why the keeper felt the need to rush out and challenge only he knows. Johnson was level with the six yard box and ten yards wide of goal. Yellow card for the keeper.

GOAL! Gerrard slams it right down the middle.

Liverpool penalty! Johnson brought down by Gomes!

Now Palacios fires one in from 25 yards and Reina tips over the bar. A good effort and a decent save.

Mascherano also got a talking to for tugging Huddlestone's shorts a moment ago. 'One more and you're off,' he was told.

Skrtel gets a card for bringing Keane down before he even received the ball. He had stitches in his jaw at HT we are told.

Two good examples there of Liverpool's malaise. First Gerrard telegraphs a jink inside the area then Torres loses control under very little pressure. At least the skipper responds with a low drive just wide of the post.

What a brilliant run from Aaron Lennon - he skipped past two Liverpool players and dashed 50 yards into the penlaty area but just lost control at the vital second and was intercepted.

Liverpool win themselves an early corner. Surely they won't lookas impotent this half?

We begin again....

That's half time and Spurs thoroughly deserve their lead. Keane should have provided it - twice - but a thunderbolt from the left back got him out of jail.

Kuyt gets in with a ball over the top but his control allows Gomes to sneak in and claim, then Torres hits a poor ball to Babel. Liverpool have woken up.

Four added minutes to allow for the string of injuries we've had.

An absolute scorcher from the left back! Huddlestone's free kick hits the wall and as it pops out Assou-Ekotto belts one into the top corner! Spurs have the lead they deserve.

GOAL! Assou-Ekotto! What a hit!

Palacios is brought down by Skrtel on the edge of the box and Spurs have a good chance to get the goal they deserve before half time.

Huddlestone directs a Carragher clearance into the path of Keane who is absolutely free 16 yards out but he blazes his shot over the bar. Three woeful efforts from Keane, who is crumbling against his former club.

Now Babel crosses first time for Torres but Gomes claims.

Excellent header from Glen Johnson as Lennon and Palacios combined nicely down the right. Keane was waiting to pounce, or nod it wide, you choose.

Gerrard's corner is cleared and as Babel refeeds him he wins a throw in off Huddlestone. First bit of pressure from Liverpool.

Kuyt wins possession and Gerrard wins a corner after his cross is deflected.

From the replay it looks as if Keane's effort was going wide anyway. He should have scored two in five minutes. That would have learnt Rafa.

Defoe rises from the corner and flashes a powerful header just wide. Spurs are in control now. The game has woken up.

Another chance for Keane another save for Reina! Gerrard misses a ball in midfield, Modric slots in Keane and he tries a dink but Reina stays tall and saves.

Huddlestone tries a curler from the free kick and it is deflected behind for a corner off Babel.

Now Lennon and Mascherano collide at full tilt and they crumple in a heap. Not a dirty game so far but plenty of injuries. Masch is going to get booked here.

What a save! Modric picked up a long cross in the area and hooked it back in and Keane has a free header six yards from goal but it is too near Reina and he pulls off a marvellous save.

Gerrard gets a yard of space and has a crack but scuffs it wide of the poat. Not a bad effort. Stevie G has been quiet too, apart from the shot I just described.

Its just not happening for either side at the minute. Spurs look more likely but they aren't clicking, wheras Liverpool look toothless with Torres isolated.

Huddlestone looks for Defoe in the channel but Carragher is across with an excellent challenge before the striker could shoot.

Torres is limping now after a tackle with Bassong. Walking wounded for Liverpool.

Ooh, first yellow of the game goes to Aaron Lennon for a nasty, and late tackle on Skrtel, who is still not happy after that earlier clash with Carragher.

We could do with a decent chance. That'd be nice.

Carragher launches one up towards Torres who can't reach it. Liverpool labouring already?

Poor ball from Modric that is deflected by Mascherano and Spurs now have a throw in, that trundles along to Lennon who bottles his effort and dribbles it wide.

Skrtel is still wincing from the Carra challenge as Spurs win a free kick on the right flank.

Spurs desperately trying to get the ball in the box but Insua does well to block Lennon's cross. Carragher is back now with a Steve Foster-style headband.

Mascherano and Johnson are centre backs for the minute. Now Skrtel returns..

What will Liverpool do if they both have to leave the field? Lucas and Mascherano at centre back anyone?

Now Skrtel and Carragher both challenge for a ball and collapse in a heap. The Spurs fans liked that. Nasty cuts on both of them. Carragher is going off for stitches by the looks of it.

Keane is shackled by Skrtel near the corner flag as he looked to link up with Modric.

Johnson clips in a neat cross that King does well to reach before Torres.

Huddlestone is penlised for a ball-winning tackle. Ref Phil Dowd didn't like the way he went into it. Non-contact sport these days. I despair.

Now Torres and Palacios clatter into either other. Palacios finds himself some space and is lucky to get a corner via a deflection.

Insua has the ball pinched by Defoe then he is fould by Mascherano. Spurs free kick. Bright and lively start to the game.

Skrtel is in swiftly on Defoe, then Palacios tracks Johnson down the right to concede a corner.

Babel gets in with a ball over the top that Bassong just watched. King gets back to help mop up after the dutchman's control let him down.

Torres slips past Assou-Ekotto now and gets a clip but no foul given. Slightly harsh.

Torres tricks himself by the corner flag, putting the ball out for a goal kick and having a little chuckle.

Assou-Ekotto balsts one goalwards after a Spurs corner fell to him on the edge of the box. It flies wover.

Keane's first involvement against his former side (blink and you'll have missed his spell on Merseyside) is a lovely piece of control and a tidy ball wide for Lennon.

We're off..

Another brilliantly observed minute's applause for Sir Bobby Robson is duly completed, and the game is about to start in equally brilliant sunshine.

This should be interesting. Liverpool firmly believe this can be the year they finally land the title, while Tottenham are setting their sights on Europe when they should really be focusing on avoiding a nightmare start to the season, like they've endured in the two previous years.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Gerrard and Torres. Subs from: Cavalieri, Voronin, Benayoun, Spearing, Kelly, Dossena and Ayala.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric, Keane and Defoe. Subs from: Cudicini, Hutton, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch, Naughton and O'Hara.

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of this afternoon's game between Tottenham and Liverpool. An early chance to gauge the Reds' title credentials, and Spurs' wholly optimistic blather about the top four. Kick off is at 4pm.

Now Keane makes way for Peter Crouch. If Spurs don't win this it is his fault.

Johnson comes forward again - he's been Liverpool's best attacking player - and is chopped down by Assou-Ekotto, who is booked. Babel makes way for Benayoun.

Keane darts past Lucas and has a pop but though it is speeding like a bullet, Reina gets right behind it.

Insua knocks in a decent looking ball but there are no red shirts in the area.

Benayoun is preparing to come on.

Gomes claims a looping ball and catches Torres with his boots, accidentally.

Gomes palms Gerrard's effort over the bar even though it was right at him. Another Gomes wobble?

Now Liverpool win a free kick on the left. The game is alive after that opening half an hour of dross.

Modric floats in the free kick and Bassong rises to nod past Reina! He was a Newcastle player a week ago, now he's potted one against Liverpool on debut. Not bad eh?

GOAL! Bassong! Spurs lead again!

Now Carragher gets booked for pulling back Defoe, who got the right side of him. A yellow all day long.

Defoe turns on the box edge and Carragher does well to block. Liverpool clear the corner.

A great run from Johnson, who jinked inside two Spurs players and drew Gomes into the foul, though why the keeper felt the need to rush out and challenge only he knows. Johnson was level with the six yard box and ten yards wide of goal. Yellow card for the keeper.

GOAL! Gerrard slams it right down the middle.

Liverpool penalty! Johnson brought down by Gomes!

Now Palacios fires one in from 25 yards and Reina tips over the bar. A good effort and a decent save.

Mascherano also got a talking to for tugging Huddlestone's shorts a moment ago. 'One more and you're off,' he was told.

Skrtel gets a card for bringing Keane down before he even received the ball. He had stitches in his jaw at HT we are told.

Two good examples there of Liverpool's malaise. First Gerrard telegraphs a jink inside the area then Torres loses control under very little pressure. At least the skipper responds with a low drive just wide of the post.

What a brilliant run from Aaron Lennon - he skipped past two Liverpool players and dashed 50 yards into the penlaty area but just lost control at the vital second and was intercepted.

Liverpool win themselves an early corner. Surely they won't lookas impotent this half?

We begin again....

That's half time and Spurs thoroughly deserve their lead. Keane should have provided it - twice - but a thunderbolt from the left back got him out of jail.

Kuyt gets in with a ball over the top but his control allows Gomes to sneak in and claim, then Torres hits a poor ball to Babel. Liverpool have woken up.

Four added minutes to allow for the string of injuries we've had.

An absolute scorcher from the left back! Huddlestone's free kick hits the wall and as it pops out Assou-Ekotto belts one into the top corner! Spurs have the lead they deserve.

GOAL! Assou-Ekotto! What a hit!

Palacios is brought down by Skrtel on the edge of the box and Spurs have a good chance to get the goal they deserve before half time.

Huddlestone directs a Carragher clearance into the path of Keane who is absolutely free 16 yards out but he blazes his shot over the bar. Three woeful efforts from Keane, who is crumbling against his former club.

Now Babel crosses first time for Torres but Gomes claims.

Excellent header from Glen Johnson as Lennon and Palacios combined nicely down the right. Keane was waiting to pounce, or nod it wide, you choose.

Gerrard's corner is cleared and as Babel refeeds him he wins a throw in off Huddlestone. First bit of pressure from Liverpool.

Kuyt wins possession and Gerrard wins a corner after his cross is deflected.

From the replay it looks as if Keane's effort was going wide anyway. He should have scored two in five minutes. That would have learnt Rafa.

Defoe rises from the corner and flashes a powerful header just wide. Spurs are in control now. The game has woken up.

Another chance for Keane another save for Reina! Gerrard misses a ball in midfield, Modric slots in Keane and he tries a dink but Reina stays tall and saves.

Huddlestone tries a curler from the free kick and it is deflected behind for a corner off Babel.

Now Lennon and Mascherano collide at full tilt and they crumple in a heap. Not a dirty game so far but plenty of injuries. Masch is going to get booked here.

What a save! Modric picked up a long cross in the area and hooked it back in and Keane has a free header six yards from goal but it is too near Reina and he pulls off a marvellous save.

Gerrard gets a yard of space and has a crack but scuffs it wide of the poat. Not a bad effort. Stevie G has been quiet too, apart from the shot I just described.

Its just not happening for either side at the minute. Spurs look more likely but they aren't clicking, wheras Liverpool look toothless with Torres isolated.

Huddlestone looks for Defoe in the channel but Carragher is across with an excellent challenge before the striker could shoot.

Torres is limping now after a tackle with Bassong. Walking wounded for Liverpool.

Ooh, first yellow of the game goes to Aaron Lennon for a nasty, and late tackle on Skrtel, who is still not happy after that earlier clash with Carragher.

We could do with a decent chance. That'd be nice.

Carragher launches one up towards Torres who can't reach it. Liverpool labouring already?

Poor ball from Modric that is deflected by Mascherano and Spurs now have a throw in, that trundles along to Lennon who bottles his effort and dribbles it wide.

Skrtel is still wincing from the Carra challenge as Spurs win a free kick on the right flank.

Spurs desperately trying to get the ball in the box but Insua does well to block Lennon's cross. Carragher is back now with a Steve Foster-style headband.

Mascherano and Johnson are centre backs for the minute. Now Skrtel returns..

What will Liverpool do if they both have to leave the field? Lucas and Mascherano at centre back anyone?

Now Skrtel and Carragher both challenge for a ball and collapse in a heap. The Spurs fans liked that. Nasty cuts on both of them. Carragher is going off for stitches by the looks of it.

Keane is shackled by Skrtel near the corner flag as he looked to link up with Modric.

Johnson clips in a neat cross that King does well to reach before Torres.

Huddlestone is penlised for a ball-winning tackle. Ref Phil Dowd didn't like the way he went into it. Non-contact sport these days. I despair.

Now Torres and Palacios clatter into either other. Palacios finds himself some space and is lucky to get a corner via a deflection.

Insua has the ball pinched by Defoe then he is fould by Mascherano. Spurs free kick. Bright and lively start to the game.

Skrtel is in swiftly on Defoe, then Palacios tracks Johnson down the right to concede a corner.

Babel gets in with a ball over the top that Bassong just watched. King gets back to help mop up after the dutchman's control let him down.

Torres slips past Assou-Ekotto now and gets a clip but no foul given. Slightly harsh.

Torres tricks himself by the corner flag, putting the ball out for a goal kick and having a little chuckle.

Assou-Ekotto balsts one goalwards after a Spurs corner fell to him on the edge of the box. It flies wover.

Keane's first involvement against his former side (blink and you'll have missed his spell on Merseyside) is a lovely piece of control and a tidy ball wide for Lennon.

We're off..

Another brilliantly observed minute's applause for Sir Bobby Robson is duly completed, and the game is about to start in equally brilliant sunshine.

This should be interesting. Liverpool firmly believe this can be the year they finally land the title, while Tottenham are setting their sights on Europe when they should really be focusing on avoiding a nightmare start to the season, like they've endured in the two previous years.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Gerrard and Torres. Subs from: Cavalieri, Voronin, Benayoun, Spearing, Kelly, Dossena and Ayala.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric, Keane and Defoe. Subs from: Cudicini, Hutton, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch, Naughton and O'Hara.

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of this afternoon's game between Tottenham and Liverpool. An early chance to gauge the Reds' title credentials, and Spurs' wholly optimistic blather about the top four. Kick off is at 4pm.