Nine-man Reds sunk at Spurs
Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel saw red as nine-man Liverpool went down to a 4-0 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
Luka Modric's stunning seventh minute drive got the hosts off to a flyer before the Scotland international received his marching orders for a second bookable offence inside half an hour.
The Reds battled manfully to keep a foothold in the game but when the Slovakian suffered the same fate on 63 minutes it provided Harry Redknapp's team with the opportunity to see out the contest with ease.
Further efforts from Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor (2) sealed Kenny Dalglish's side's misery on a day that also saw Daniel Agger forced off with a rib injury.
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Ahead of the contest Dalglish made one change to the team that was so unfortunate to lose at Stoke City, with Andy Carroll returning to the fold in place of Dirk Kuyt.
It was an attacking line-up that signalled Liverpool's intent, but it was the home side who were first to go close as they made an electric start to the proceedings.
Niko Kranjcar showed good strength to hold off Jose Enrique before teeing up Adebayor 10 yards from goal. The Togolese striker looked all set to break the deadlock but stabbed wide with the goal gaping.
It was a warning for the visitors but one they did not take heed of.
Next, a trademark run from Gareth Bale saw the Wales star ghost past Skrtel and cross low towards Defoe. The Spurs forward reacted smartly and connected well with a first time effort but was brilliantly blocked by Agger.
The Dane has been a rock at the back for Dalglish's side so far this term but he could do little to deny the hosts when they opened the scoring with a magnificent goal on seven minutes.
A dangerous Spurs attack saw Defoe tripped on the edge of the box but, before the home team could appeal, Modric arrived to crash a wonderful 25 yard effort into the top left-hand corner of Pepe Reina's net.
It capped the lightning opening by Redknapp's men and left Liverpool reeling as Agger picked up a knock in the lead up to the strike. The former Brondby defender battled on for a period but was eventually forced off on 25 minutes and was replaced by Sebastian Coates.
The Uruguay star would have wondered what he was being thrust into on what was his first outing for the Reds and, having seen a Suarez effort correctly ruled out for offside, the day would get even worse for the Merseysiders seconds later.
Adam had already received an early booking for a foul on Modric when he launched into a high tackle on Scott Parker. The Scotland star protested his innocence but left referee Mike Jones with no option but to brandish a second yellow card.
Less than half an hour played and Liverpool were up against it.
The home side continued to dominate the play right up until the interval with Bale, Adebayor and Younes Kaboul wasting good chances to extend their lead.
There was no doubt the Reds needed to regroup following the break but they could have been two behind within seconds of the restart.
Kyle Walker stormed down the right and crossed low towards Adebayor. The towering forward flicked the ball immediately into the path of Defoe who somehow contrived to drag wide from 10 yards with Reina rooted to the spot.
The desire to restore parity was clear to see within the visiting ranks but they could do little to quell the tide of incessant Tottenham pressure.
Bale teased three Liverpool defenders with a probing run on 57 minutes and powered a low shot towards goal that Reina managed to claim on the stretch.
Next, Adebayor was sent clear on the left side of the penalty area but struck a tame effort that was easily gathered by the Reds custodian.
The away side's best chance of salvaging something seemed to be from set pieces but those hopes were dashed just after the hour mark when Skrtel received a second yellow card for another foul on Bale.
The two-man advantage gave Tottenham more and more freedom, leading to a second goal just moments later.
Substitute Rafael van der Vaart fed Defoe inside the area and the England man did well to turn Enrique before making no mistake with a fierce low shot that thundered past Reina.
It was all over bar the shouting and on 67 minutes the hosts made it three. Reina could only parry Defoe's strike into the path of Adebayor, who coolly side-stepped the Spaniard and tapped home from close range.
It was a day to forget for Dalglish's men and the Togo star rubbed salt in their wounds when he netted his second of the game with a thumping volley in stoppage time.