Gloom sets in after Friedel's errors

It will not be too long before the Liverpool faithful start jeering their team during pre-match warm-ups - if only to save time.

On Monday the Merseyside club's chairman David Moores resisted the temptation to end his controversial experiment in twin managers. But this morning, as he reflects on a second home defeat in four days, he may decide to think again about the partnership between Gerard Houllier and Roy Evans.

"My own situation is the least important thing. It's Liverpool's situation that is important - that is all that matters," said Evans afterwards.

If the result, which blocked off one possible avenue to Europe next season, was not bad enough, Michael Owen damaged a hamstring in claiming Liverpool's late consolation goal.

Those Tottenham Hotspur supporters who travelled north to witness their team's effortless passage into the last eight were the only ones to find humour in the darkness which enveloped Anfield last night. "Can we play you every week?" they sang in unison, reinforcing the belief that Liverpool have become a soft touch.

Liverpool were weakened by the absence of Steve McManaman, Jamie Redknapp and Patrik Berger, but it is difficult to believe that trio would have made much difference, so superior were George Graham's side.

Not for the first time this season Liverpool were the architects of their own downfall. Steffen Iversen's header from a Sol Campbell cross may have been splendidly placed, but had Brad Friedel not been standing some five yards off his line it would not have found the top corner.

Tottenham were marvellous, overpowering and over-running Liverpool with vibrant, resourceful football. After 20 minutes their dominance was underscored by a second goal, again following a mistake by Friedel, who seems to be working assiduously towards making the man he replaced last night, David James, appear competent.

Darren Anderton's free-kick caused panic in the home defence and after Friedel had spilled the ball, John Scales, a former Liverpool player, swept in his first goal for Tottenham.

Karlheinz Riedle came on as a substitute at the interval and threatened to perk up Liverpool in the second half. Then, at the precise moment when the home side were showing signs of recovery, Tottenham scored for a third time, Allen Nielsen latching on to Iversen's through-ball to convert smartly.

Owen did snatch one back when a clearance by Tottenham's goalkeeper Espen Baardsen rebounded off him and the striker won the chase for the loose ball. But it proved a costly goal and merely added injury to insult.

Liverpool: Friedel, McAteer, Staunton, Leonhardsen (Riedle 45), Fowler, Owen (Murphy 82), Heggem, Ince, Bjornebye, Carragher, Thompson. Subs Not Used: James, Kvarme, Harkness. Booked: Carragher. Goals: Owen 81.

Tottenham: Baardsen, Carr, Calderwood, Nielsen, Anderton, Ginola (Allen 45), Vega, Scales, Iversen, Sinton (Wilson 82), Campbell, Allen (Fox 90). Subs Not Used: Walker, Dominguez. Booked: Calderwood, Allen, Sinton. Goals: Iversen 2, Scales 20, Nielsen 62.

Refere: G Willard (Worthing).