Premier League: Liverpool 0 Tottenham 2

Tottenham look set to qualify for the Europa League after they moved into fifth spot at the expense of Liverpool after a 2-0 win at Anfield.

Goals from midfield duo Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric gave the London club the win and, despite Harry Redknapp claiming the European tournament would be a hindrance next season, his team go into the last weekend of the campaign in pole position to seal their place in the competition.

The visitors dominated the first half and Liverpool really struggled to get a foothold in the game, despite home advantage and a win confirming their own place in the Europa League.

It was a scenario that seemed highly unlikely earlier in the season when the club was languishing in the relegation zone.

It took Tottenham only nine minutes to take the lead, with Van der Vaart bagging his 13th league goal of the season with a superb curling effort.

Modric’s corner was only half cleared by the Liverpool back line and the ball found the Dutchman on the edge of the area, who trapped the ball neatly before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Pepe Reina’s goal.

Andy Carroll, restored to the starting line-up following a knee injury, wasted a glorious chance to draw Liverpool level, mistiming his header after a decent cross from defender Martin Skrtel.

Luis Suarez then bent a free-kick marginally over as the first half came to an end, and despite Tottenham’s lack of chances, their dominance in possession saw them deservedly lead at the break.

Liverpool’s hopes of hauling themselves back into game took a major blow just after the re-start following John Flanagan’s barge on Steven Pienaar in the penalty area.

The home players’ appeals that the offence occurred outside the box fell on deaf ears as referee Howard Webb awarded a penalty, and Modric sent his spot-kick right down the middle to double Tottenham’s lead.

Tottenham settled back into their keep-ball routine on the back of their two-goal cushion and were rarely troubled by the normally impressive Suarez and his strike-partner Dirk Kuyt.

The loss would not have been how manager Dalglish would have wanted to celebrate signing a three-year deal at the club earlier in the week.

However, he can still complete his remarkable turnaround in charge of Liverpool by getting them into the Europa League if results go their way at Aston Villa next weekend.