LONDON (AP)

Liverpool made a losing start to the Premier League season yesterday as Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong scored on his debut to clinch a 2-1 victory.

Bassong headed in the winner in the 59th minute after fellow defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto's superb first-half strike had been canceled out from the penalty spot by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool lacked cutting edge in front of goal as last season's runners-up experienced a second straight defeat at White Hart Lane.

After finishing second to Manchester United by four points last season, Reds manager Rafa Benitez is looking to secure Liverpool's first league title in 20 years.

The importance of opening with a win was heightened by defending champion Manchester United, along with title rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all picking up three points.

Few excuses

There were few excuses for Benitez. Missing so often though last season through injury, both Fernando Torres and Gerrard were available to form their usually devastating partnership on the opening weekend.

Keeping them both away from the treatment room will be key to the Reds winning their first English title since 1990.

But the new campaign still started with the club doctor active on the sidelines. Both Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel had passed late fitness tests to make the starting lineup, but after 15 minutes the centre backs clashed heads going for the same ball.

Carragher sustained a two-inch cut and medics had to put in staples before he was able to return with a bandage wrapped around his forehead.

The visitors relied heavily on Pepe Reina for the score remaining at 0-0, with the Spain goalkeeper pulling off a great save to block former teammate Robbie Keane's half volley from Luka Modric's cross.

Reina denied Keane again in the 33rd when the Ireland striker tried to chip him from a difficult angle after being fed by Modric.

Woeful finishing

Displaying the woeful finishing that saw his Liverpool spell last just six months before returning to Spurs in February, Keane then blazed the ball high over the bar in the 41st.

But Assou-Ekotto showed Keane how to find the net as the Spurs left back scored his first goal in the 152nd game of his club career.

When Tom Huddlestone's free kick was deflected out by Emiliano Insua, Cameroon international Assou-Ekotto pounced on the edge of the area, drilling the ball into the top corner, beyond Reina's reach.

Liverpool rarely threatened until Heurelho Gomes came off his line to stop Glen Johnson's run into the penalty area and tripped the England right back to cause a penalty.

From the spot, Gerrard drilled the ball just under the crossbar in the 56th.

But Spurs were back in front three minutes later after being presented with a free kick when Carragher barged Jermain Defoe off the ball.

Bassong, who joined from New-castle to bolster the defense, beat Carragher in the air to connect with Modric's free kick and headed into the net.