Liverpool's hopes of Europa League qualification have been dealt a blow after Tottenham Hotspur claimed a 2-0 win at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
Rafael van der Vaart put Spurs into the lead inside 10 minutes, seeing his volley take a slight deflection and sail into the top corner to cap an impressive opening by the visitors.
Luka Modric made it 2-0 from the penalty spot early in the second half after John Flanagan was harshly adjudged to have fouled Steven Pienaar with a shoulder barge just inside the box - though TV replays proved initial contact occurred outside of the area.
The result means the Reds must now better Tottenham's result against Birmingham at White Hart Lane next Sunday when they travel to Aston Villa if they're to finish fifth in the Barclays Premier League and qualify for Europe.
Despite a heavy pre-match downpour, a carnival atmosphere greeted kick-off inside Anfield following Thursday's news Kenny Dalglish had signed a three-year contract to remain as the club's manager on a permanent basis.
The legendary Scot has helped mastermind a complete turnaround of Liverpool's fortunes since returning to the helm in January and headed into the contest knowing victory over the Londoners would assure his side of a fifth-place finish in the Barclays Premier League and entry into the Europa League next season.
Dalglish made just one change to the side that had dismantled Fulham on Monday with Andy Carroll replacing the injured Raul Meireles.
However, it was the visitors who made the more promising start as they looked to revive their own hopes of securing a Europa berth.
And their early pressure told when Van der Vaart fired them into a ninth-minute lead. Collecting a half-cleared Spurs corner on the edge of the box, the Dutchman controlled on his chest before dispatching a sublime volley beyond Pepe Reina via the aid of a nick off Glen Johnson.
Liverpool were struggling to get out of first gear and it took until the 23rd minute for them to conjure up an attack of note, but Carroll mis-kicked on the edge of the box when attempting to connect with Maxi's lay off.
Soon after, only a spectacular diving header from Michael Dawson deep inside his own box prevented a Reds chance from Dirk Kuyt's dangerous centre. [Read more…]
Source: LiverpoolFC.tv
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