Report by Jimmy Pilnick at White Hart Lane

After a summer soap opera even Phil Redmond couldn't have written, it was back to football for Liverpool at a sun-baked White Hart Lane on Saturday, and on the face of it a draw wasn't a bad result against a team also out to impress a new boss, although admittedly they couldn't have impressed him too much in a first half where the Reds were well on top.

Debutants Josemi and Djibril Cisse can be well pleased with their afternoon's work, the Spaniard for his solid-display at right-back, and Cisse for his debut goal which looks better and better every time you see it. Cisse also began to show glimpses of developing an understanding with Milan Baros, which will be vital as we get used to life without Michael Owen.

Cisse's goal was no more than the Reds deserved after dominating a first half in which Jerzy hardly had a save to make. Harry Kewell, who showed glimpses of his menace down the left all afternoon, almost scored himself when his cross/shot was deflected just over by Naybet.

From the resulting corner, which Spurs initially cleared, Finnan's excellent centre was cushioned into the path of Cisse by Jamie Carragher, and Djibril, who had earlier stung the palms of Paul Robinson with a long-range drive, displayed striking instincts at their best to steer the ball into the bottom corner.

The travelling support, which was on good form all afternoon despite the ludicrous kick-off time, went bananas, although getting everyone to agree on a new chant for our record signing proved more difficult!

An adaptation of "Cecelia," which went "Cisse, I'm down on my knees, I'm begging you please to score goals" competed with the more simplistic "Allez Cisse," like the French sing "allez les bleus," although the chances of the former taking off are about as remote as Bill Kenwright waving a magic wand and 25 million quid appearing in his hat!

Cisse's fellow-debutant also got himself a new song, although admittedly it was an adaptation of Arsenal's "Vieira" effort: "he came from Malaga, to play with Carragher, Josemi."

The home fans 'response' was typical Premiership garbage. It took them about 15 minutes to sing "sign on," like I'm sure they were when Gerrard, Owen and Rooney were scoring for Burberryland in Euro 2004, while they came up with the oh-so-predictable "where's your Owen gone?"

Had the travelling Kop taunted the home support about the number of players who'd left this 'big club' down the years we'd still be there now!

Anyway, it was almost 2-0 shortly after when Gerrard's quite brilliant volley from outside the box went just over. Early glimpses suggest our skipper has well and truly found his shooting boots again this season, and it goes without saying that Stevie was the driving force behind everything the Reds did all afternoon.

There was one particularly rash challenge in the first half could had landed him in trouble, although retribution came in the most unlikely form a few minutes later as Stevie was clattered by none other than Jamie Redknapp. Just when you thought nothing in football could shock you anymore!

I had a quid on Cisse and 2-0 as well so it was happy days, and at half time The Reds looked odds on to take the three points. But football can turn on its head and Spurs, presumably with a bollcking with Santini still ringing in their ears, came out far more purposely after the break.

That's not saying we didn't have our moments in the second half though, notably when Kewell's brilliant long-range drive, reminiscent of Gerrard's effort in the UEFA Cup semi against Barca, flashed agonisingly wide, while Robinson brilliantly turned over a header from Jamie Carragher.

The sight of Carragher in the opposition box and Steph scoring in pre-season are surely positives that can already be drawn from Rafa's time in charge.
Cisse was withdrawn on the hour for Pongolle, a sensible move designed to use Sinama's explosive pace as Spurs chased the game in the excruciating heat.

Unfortunately, Spurs were level shortly after as Defoe, who'd blasted over from a similar position earlier in the half, turned in the box and hit a shot that beat Jerzy Dudek for sheer power at the near post.

Maybe the marking could have been tighter, and I'm sure it's something Rafa will address at Melwood on Monday, but sometimes you have to credit he opposition, and it was a great finish by Defoe.

The sight of Pongolle and Baros running to the referee encouraging him to book Defoe for taking his shirt off may not have been to some people's liking, but in the circumstances you could understand their frustration. Literally 60 seconds before the goal, Sinama had been booked for a nothing challenge on Erik Edman which wasn't even a foul, while earlier in the half Milan had been unceremoniously hacked down in an extremely promising position but there was no card for the culprit.

Mr Gallagher's incompetence was also summed up by his earlier refusal to award the Reds a penalty despite Ifil tugging Stevie's shirt in the box, a decision that looked inexplicable from our vantage point 150 yards away and even more ridiculous on TV replays, while he somehow didn't book Defoe despite the striker slamming the ball into the ground in frustration after a decision hadn't gone his way.

In truth, the Spurs goal came after a spell during which the Reds had been forced further and further back. Rafa later cited tiredness on what was a boiling hot day, and the withdrawal of Milan Baros, who by his standards didn't have a great afternoon, showed us El Boss was happy to leave London with a point.

Carra's header almost snatched the three of course, but after the Owen saga, it was important we came away with a result and a decent performance. And the fact that our record signing broke his duck on his league debut is a kick in the teeth for the vultures who rub their hands at the imminent demise of LFC post-Michael Owen.

Star man was Josemi. Solid, no-nonsense display at right back. No wonder the players have nicknamed him "El Carra!"

Team: Dudek, Joesmi, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Finnan, Hamann (Biscan), Gerrard, Kewell; Baros (Warnock), Cisse (Pongolle).

 

 

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