Liverpool Stunned By Ekotto Screamer

Liverpool were handed a wake up call on the opening day of the season going down 2-1 to Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The reds have been undefeated in their last 8 away games on the opening day but fell to a disappointing defeat.

Liverpool, who have been hotly tipped to end their 18 year wait for a league title, started the game very poorly as both teams were unable create any chances. Benitez's men, who only lost twice last season, struggled to carve out any chances early on. Spurs looked the more likely team to score as Robbie Keane could have bagged a first half hat trick were it not for Pepe Reina. A superb point blank save from Reina denied Keane a glorious chance to score against his old club as the Reds failed to even get into the game. Liverpool looked lackadaisical in all departments and an error in judgment by Jamie Carragher ended with an injury for team mate Martin Skrtle. Carragher and Skrtle jumped for the same ball but the vice captain instead headed the jaw of his team mate, leaving him nursing a cracked jaw. Skrtle now faces 2 weeks on the sidelines. Things only got worse for the title contenders when a stunning strike from Benoit Assou Ekotto opened the scoring. A Huddlestone free kick could only hit the wall but Ekotto smashed the ball beyond the excellent Reina to open his Spurs account.

The Reds started the 2nd half in a more positive fashion but once again failed to create any clear cut chances. Spurs squandered some good opportunities, the electric pace of Aaron Lennon almost got them second were not for his poor judgment. However, Liverpool new boy Glen Johnson scampered into the box and was brought down by Ekotto to earn himself a penalty. Captain Steven Gerrard stepped up to slot away the penalty and put his team back on track. It wasn't level for long though, as a free kick from a wide area and slack marking enabled former Newcastle defender Sebastian Bassong to head home to give Spurs a 2-1 lead on 59 minutes.

Manager Raphael Benitez turned to his bench to try and salvage a draw by bringing on Andriy Voronin. The Ukrainian striker, who spent last year on loan with Hertha Berlin, impressed during pre-season and straight away made an impact as he was brought down by Ekotto in the area only for Referee Phil Dowd to wave it away. This decision deeply angered the Reds bench as assistant coach Sammi Lee had to be sent into the stands for his protests. Spurs were able to clinch an impressive 2-1 win over Liverpool and the question has to be asked, can Liverpool be a dominant force in the league? After this performance you wouldn't say so. They lacked real depth in the team and without Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso in the team they missed that cutting edge they had last season. Perhaps Rafa could miss him more than he expected to.