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Tottenham's Benoit Assou-Ekotto celebrates - Source: Reuters -
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Last years Premier League runners-up Liverpool paid dearly for their lack of muscle in the summer transfer market on Monday (NZT) as the side were beaten 2-1 by an inspired Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
But the Merseysiders - who suffered just two losses in the league last season (one of those coming at Spurs) could have little complaints as they were outplayed from the first whistle.
It was Spurs' Benoit Assou-Ekotto who fired the home side ahead just before halftime with a shot that thundered past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina after some questionable Liverpool defending.
Liverpool, who came into the game after the half-way mark, then levelled the score after skipper Steven Gerrard coolly slotted a penalty in the 54th minute after Tottenham goalie Heurelho Gomes brought down Liverpool's new signing Glen Johnson.
But the resurgence from the Reds was short lived as just four minutes later Spurs debutant Sebastien Bassong sealed the defeat with a powerful header that Reina had no chance of stopping.
Liverpool fired up once Israeli Yossi Benayoun came on for the unconvincing Ryan Babel, and were denied a clear penalty from the ref after Andriy Voronin was fouled by Spurs goalscorer Assou-Ekotto, leading to Liverpool's assistant coach Sammy Lee being banned from the touchline for dissent.
Liverpool continued to push forward till the end, but a win wasn't to be for the club who are desperate to land their first League title in 20-years.
After the match Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez told Sky Sports:
"The first half was not the best for us, the second half much better,"
"We are disappointed because we worked hard in the second half. It's still early, but we know we have to improve."
Although Tottenham thoroughly deserved all three points, questions will now be asked about a Liverpool squad who looked weak at best.
If Monday's match was anything to go by, the loss of Xabi Alonso has hit Liverpool hard.
And while Glen Johnson is more than a replacement for former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, fans will have to wait to see just how their new Italian midfielder, Alberto Aquilani, will cope with the demands of the Premier League as he continues to recover from injury.
A clearly unfit Fernando Torres and a poor display from Ryan Babel will once again have the fans calling for Rafa to land another 'world class striker' before the summer transfer window closes in just over two weeks time.
And a knock to staunch centre-back Martin Skrtel, who clashed heads with Jamie Carragher early in the game, is sure to worry Benitez who has two unproven teenage subs to take the players place, something that neither player, nor boss, nor fan will relish as the sides next fixture will be just as tough against a physical Stoke City at Anfield on Thursday. (NZT)
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