Liverpool eye top five as Lloris costs Spurs

Liverpool 3 Tottenham 2

Anfield roared its approval as Stewart Downing and skipper Steven Gerrard, with a late spot kick won by — who else? — Luis Suarez, gave Liverpool the points that seemed to have been ripped from their grasp by that outstanding raider Jan Vertonghen.

Yet manager Rodgers tried to play down one of the most important victories of his short reign as the fans sense a late surge for Europe, clearly keen to keep a lid on expectations while his buoyant side prepare to try and catch fifth-placed Arsenal.