Jol's Liverpool counterpart, Rafa Benitez, blamed a draw which makes a mockery of Liverpool's Premier League ambitions on two "big defensive mistakes", but the malaise runs deeper. Benitez's beloved rotation system could hardly be blamed yesterday; Andrei Voronin, one of five changes, was outstanding, scoring one and showing far more commitment than most of his colleagues.

	Late leveller: Fernando Alonso celebrates his last-gasp equaliser

Liverpool are so reliant on Gerrard to play the catalyst that when the captain is not at the races, as yesterday, they can struggle. Gerrard threatened with a couple of free-kicks and executed one magnificent pass but he again failed to impose his undoubted talent on proceedings, perhaps because he collected a slight knock tangling with Didier Zokora early in the second half.

Up front, Torres ran around willingly but livened up most at the very death, rescuing Liverpool with a headed equaliser. Such goals are child's play to 'El Nino' but Liverpool need the Spaniard menacing throughout. Maybe if Benitez plays Torres every game, the striker's reading of Gerrard's passing intentions will develop.

If Liverpool remain in the grip of an inquest following travails in the Premier League and Champions League, Tottenham are also seized by a myriad of doubts triggered by the board's bizarre decision to undermine Jol by talking to potential replacements.

Jol's side could, really should, have won here. Victory would have lifted Spurs to 13th instead of 17th, although at least they can take pleasure from climbing out of the bottom three and pride in the performance. Paul Robinson was at fault for Liverpool's first but also made an athletic save from Javier Mascherano. Michael Dawson dominated the airwaves until Torres finally got the better of him.

Gareth Bale was again superb down the left, all coltish endeavour and elevated technique. Robbie Keane, the fans' darling, led by example, striking twice, tracking back constantly and being comfortably the man of the match. If Ledley King and Aaron Lennon ever get properly fit, Jol's side will be a team to be feared as well as respected.

Jol certainly deserved praise yesterday for restraint following a bad decision by Mark Halsey with Tottenham leading 2-1 and the clock running down. Spurs were enjoying a rare counter-attack with the ball whistling towards Bale. Pepe Reina went walkabout from his Liverpool area, not for the first time, heading clear and then bringing down Bale. The ball fell to Pascal Chimbonda but Halsey blew for a Liverpool free-kick.

Free-kicks were a sensitive issue for Spurs, who fell behind early on from a dead-ball situation. When Jermaine Jenas tugged back Gerrard, the Liverpool captain's free-kick deflected off Jenas and caught Robinson out. The keeper spilled the ball and watched in horror as Voronin played the poacher from six yards.

England's No1 lives through stormy times but he could legitimately question why Jenas had granted Liverpool their opportunity, and why his centre-halves did not follow Voronin in. Yet this simple goal will still be billed as another error by the man Steve McClaren insists will start against Estonia and Russia. "England's No1" chanted a mocking Kop.

When Robinson then slipped, the cackling of thousands of Scouse Madame Defarge reverberated around Anfield. The mirth intensified when Younes Kaboul conceded a daft corner. Liverpool failed to exploit their dominance. Gerrard bent a free-kick against a post. Liverpool then decided to turn into the Arsenal of last season, and try to walk the ball into the net.

Anfield's frustration deepened just before the break as Spurs sped down Route One to equalise. Robinson's long ball was met by the head of Dimitar Berbatov, who beat Sami Hyypia to send Keane racing through. The Irishman darted between Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan and lifted the ball expertly in over Reina.

Anfield needed a rallying call at the break, although no one quite expected it to come from Jessie Paisley. Widow of the great Bob Paisley, the wheelchair-bound nonagenarian talked of her affection for Liverpool, who have just published a book in honour of their most successful manager.

Jessie's words, surely the best piece of Liverpool half-time oratory since Benitez in Istanbul 2005, still failed to inspire the Reds. Tottenham began the half the stronger, soon seizing the lead as lightning struck twice. Again, Robinson launched the ball downfield. Again, Berbatov rose above Hyypia to release Keane. Again, the Irishman eluded Carragher to place the ball past Reina. Surely Liverpool's defence was missing the mobility of Daniel Agger? "Not really," countered Benitez.

Liverpool's blushes were saved deep into stoppage time when Torres headed home Finnan's fine cross but the mystery of their lack of spark continues. So does the mystery of why Jol remains unappreciated in the Tottenham boardroom.

www.telegraph.co.uk/winter