English FA Premiership: This was a match of the richest aesthetic quality but one, for Liverpool, that brought only commiserations. Rafael Benitez's men may have contributed to an absorbing spectacle but their body language said: who cares?

They had fallen to sixth in the Premiership and showering them with praise felt like flattering the best man at a wedding after he had misplaced the ring but given a great speech.

They would have much preferred sweating out an unrefined, fortuitous, ugly 1-0 victory. Steven Gerrard, who later revealed his missed penalty would be his last for the club, shook his head and Jamie Carragher ran to the ball, kicked it to the other side of the ground and stalked down the tunnel.

"I would have enjoyed the game as a spectator but, as the manager, no. Frustration is the best word to describe it," said Benitez. "I will try to be positive and we have gained a point on Everton, who still have to play Manchester United and Arsenal. But we may have to win our last five games if we are to qualify for the Champions League this way."

Alternatively they could render the argument of fourth place meaningless by overcoming Chelsea, then Milan or PSV Eindhoven, and returning the European Cup to Anfield.

"I always thought it would be easier to qualify for next year by finishing in the top four rather than actually winning the Champions League, but I'm not so sure now," said Sami Hyypia, whose expertly-taken volley denied Tottenham their first league victory at Anfield since 1993.

To dwell on Liverpool's deficiencies would be unfair on Tottenham who defended manfully and counter-attacked purposefully. The visitors led twice, courtesy of Erik Edman's first goal for the club, a drive from 35 yards, and Robbie Keane's deflected header. Edman's contribution was the most eye-catching, his left-foot shot being of such quality no blame can be apportioned to Jerzy Dudek, but Spurs coach Martin Jol picked out Michael Dawson for the most praise after his first appearance since signing from Nottingham Forest, while injured, in January.

"I'm not surprised Liverpool were in the market for him," Jol said. "Usually my policy is to make sure a player returning from injury has had at least one reserve match. Here I had no choice because we had so many players missing. I told Michael I would take full responsibility if it went wrong but he was excellent."

With a touch more leadership Spurs will be a good bet for a top-five finish next season. By then Gerrard will almost certainly have left Anfield but at least there are heroes-in-waiting in of Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso. Garcia shimmered with menace, scoring with a Dalglish-like turn and curled left-foot shot into the top corner. Alonso's efforts were more reminiscent of Juan Sebastian Veron's first few appearances at Manchester United, controlling the game with his sublime range of passing. Between them they ensure the future looks bright, with or without Gerrard, and with or without the Champions League.

Guardian Service