Liverpool took the lead with just two minutes on the clock through a magnificent finish by Dirk Kuyt that saw blundering Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes exposed yet again.

Jamie Carragher's own goal levelled the scores and, with injury-time approaching, Pavlyuchenko tucked home a Darren Bent pass to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Reds, denying them a return to the summit and continuing Spurs' good form since Harry Redknapp took over.