AS the end draws ever nearer, it is becoming increasingly difficult to discuss any aspect of Liverpool's football without recourse to the jabbing finger of accusation.
It is probably true to say that the team which best disguises its faults has the greater chance of success. The pretty young things of Anfield - the so called Spice Boys - have received much criticism of late for refusing to draw a discreet veil over a liking for fast cars and fast women.
Manager Roy Evans launched another spirited defence of his young lads after this rather laboured victory. "I feel we have been as good as anybody this season and I would hate to think we would finish anything other than first or second."
When Liverpool play - really play - they are probably England's finest team. But when they do fall short of their exacting standards they can be extraordinarily ordinary. Selfevidently, Manchester United's second best is better than Liverpool's second best.
But, fear not, a solution may well be at hand. A new spirit of adventure is threatening to envelop the conservative Evans and the days of the fiveman, blanket defensive barrier may be at an end.
"We changed our style against Paris St Germain in the Cup Winners' Cup recently because that was a case of death or glory," he said. "I stuck with the new system today (Saturday) and although we played the ball too long too often, there has to be a happy medium somewhere."
Before kickoff, Steve McManaman picked up a Player of the Year award from a local radio station. Presumably the voting closed on St Stephen's Day.
Rarely has a player of such skill put so much effort into producing so very little. Surely the time has come for Curly Spice to take a place alongside Old Spice, John Barnes, on the substitutes' bench.
Although Tottenham scored early - Darren Anderton's back header clipping a post on its way home Liverpool won this tired spectacle with something to spare. Stan Collymore's goal, a typical venomously low drive, may have been his last at Anfield in Liverpool colours. Afterwards, he refused to discuss rumours that he has already been sold to Aston Villa.
Patrik Bergers efficient finish as the interval beckoned was just enough to keep alive the prospect of Liverpool overturning logic in the season's final few days.
"You never know in football, things could change dramatically, but if I had to put money on anyone it would be on the favourites, Manchester United," said Tottenham manager Gerry Francis, as if to confirm that the best laid plans of Spice and men had almost certainly now been undone.
