Liverpool Dowd and Out?

"It's Liverpool's year."

It's a thought, and a feeling, that pundits, commentators and Reds fans across the globe inevitably say, think and feel before the first kick of each English Premiership season.

Come the end of each season though, the saying is invariably stale; a hard pill to swallow for those who have to eat their words year after year, as perennial rivals Manchester United rub salt into raw wounds or Russian-billionaire-inspired-Blues lift the coveted trophy that has avoided Liverpool's grasp for 19, long and arduous years.

This season, it has taken only 90 minutes, not 30-odd games, for the followers and authorities to begin swallowing their predictions, and the taste is, as usual, bitter for many.

The Reds' opening game at Tottenham always looked a hard fixture. Harder than United's clash with Birmingham, harder than Chelsea's opener against Hull. I'm not trying to argue that there is a conspiracy within the EPL fixture ranks against the Reds. But it's not ideal to go into a new season facing one of only two teams that managed to defeat you, twice, last season.

Of course you'd prefer drawing Spurs over one of the other 'big four' teams, or even the revolutionised Man City, but as I said, it was definitely not an ideal start.

I remember watching the Fox Sports footage before the game; it flashed up the odds, and despite being a Reds away game, they were placed at an attractive $1.95 for the win, a cheaper option for the gambler than picking Spurs or a draw.

The odds reflected the same optimism; that it'd be 'Liverpool's year.'

But as the game kicked off, a similar worrying feeling crept in.

Spurs were clearly on top. The gloss from the pre-season predictions was quickly wearing off. Huddlestone, the speedy Lennon and sharp-minded Modric were clearly posing the danger in midfield in comparison to the invisible Lucas, off-form Gerrard and clumsy Kuyt.

The Liverpool-Keane debacle looked like it would come back to haunt Benitez, but a Reina save after the Irishmen stooped to head unmarked between the non-existent 'pool defence, keep the Reds in the contest.

But only until Carragher battered Lennon across the face. The resulting free-kick was thumped home on the second attempt by defender Benoît Assou-Ekotto. A left-footed 30-yard drive that Gerrard would be proud of.

Ekotto's swaggering arrogance was evident as he walked towards the tunnel at half time, glancing at White Hart Lane's big screen which was replicating his image. He was certainly chuffed with the belting strike. Who wouldn't be? Reds fans, that's who.

The second half looked a little more promising as Liverpool began to finally string passes together, and a rampaging run from new-boy Glen Johnson won the away side a penalty. Gerrard cooly slotted home. We all knew it was against the run of play. Undeserved. It looked as though the Reds would pull-off another Gerrard-inspired comeback.

Three minutes later, and a glancing header, a rippled Liverpool net, and a sea of white ecstatic Spurs fans meant Tottenham had equalised.

Two set-pieces had undone the 'Pool. Not something Rafa would be proud of. After all, he's known for his technical mastery.

Benitez was furious with Referee Dowd in the dying stages as the Reds were denied two penalties, but as usual it was an image of the desperate manager on the sidelines begging for that last decision that would his side an undeserved three points.

It was Liverpool's first day loss in 16 years. Hopefully, in a ironic twist of fate, this defeat will Spur Liverpool to their first premiership in nearly 20 years.

NEGATIVES: As my mate Cam said, "there was no fluidity in the midfield" - spot on my friend. We severely missed the departed Alonso, while his replacement, Lucas is miles from the Spainard's standard. Mascherano's head was in Barca according to Cam, and again a spot on judgement, he was never in the game. If Gerrard and Torres fire, Liverpool fire. Were those two even playing? Didn't seem like it

POSITIVES: At least Skrtel and Carragher put their bodies on the line for the team. It may have cost us in terms of their fitness and dizziness throughout the match, but however clumsy the two of them looked when they went for that header, at least they were interested in winning the ball. Unlike the other nine players.

Reina looked relatively sharp; nothing he could do about the goals.

Benayoun and Johnson looked the goods, but inevitably it looks like we are really lacking depth, bringing on two u19 players in the dying stages.

We can only hope for a better result against Stoke....