Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp

Sebastien Bassong bore the brunt of Harry Redknapp's frustration at Anfield last night after the Tottenham Hotspur defender's introduction as a substitute was delayed because he had forgotten to put on his shorts.

A difficult night for Spurs was encapsulated with ten minutes of the match remaining, when Redknapp chose to bring Bassong on for Ledley King. However, Bassong was completely unprepared for his manager's call and spent the next two minutes frantically scrambling for his shorts and shin pads.

“I don’t know how you forget to put your shorts on,” Redknapp said. “I’m still trying to figure it out. I’ve not seen that before. It's a new one on me and you do wonder, don't you? I don't know whether someone has to do his bootlaces up as well."

As it happened Redknapp may wish he had left Bassong on the bench. Within ten minutes of his introduction the player had conceded a penalty by upending David Ngog, allowing Dirk Kuyt to score Liverpool's second goal from the spot.

Liverpool, who were without Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson, performed admirably as Kuyt scored both Liverpool goals to close the gap on fourth place.

"It was a good chance [for us to win]," Redknapp said. "You see Liverpool without Gerrard, Torres, Johnson, Benayoun and you’ve got to think, ‘Are you going to get a better opportunity?

“I wouldn’t like to say [which team will finish in fourth place]. Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham - it’s a toss-up

"We have been on a good run. You lose one game, it doesn’t mean you’re out of it. There’s still all to play for. It’s very open.”