FEW at New Year would have been surprised that a cup winner would be present when Spurs tackle Liverpool at White Hart Lane in Sunday s Premiership finale. But few would have predicted that the sole cup winner would be the Lilywhites, who beat Chelsea to

FEW at New Year would have been surprised that a cup winner would be present when Spurs tackle Liverpool at White Hart Lane in Sunday's Premiership finale.

But few would have predicted that the sole cup winner would be the Lilywhites, who beat Chelsea to win the Carling Cup.

Yet it could all have been so different for the Merseysiders, who have already secured fourth spot.

Rafa Benitez's Reds lost 3-2 to Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions league semi-final last week to go out 4-3 on aggregate.

The loss followed an unlucky 1-1 first leg draw at Anfield when in injury-time John Arne Riise turned the ball into his own goal to deny his side a home win.

That semi-final defeat meant that Liverpool remained trophy-less this campaign. The ultra-consistent Fernando Torres was once again on target at Manchester City in Sunday's 1-0 win and Spurs will need no reminders of the young Spaniard's skills following his last minute equaliser at Anfield in the first meeting.

Robbie Keane had put Tottenham ahead with two goals in three minutes to cancel out Andriy Voronin's 12th minute goal, but the former Atletico Madrid star tied the scores. Voronin remains a constant presence in the Liverpool line-up as does former Spur Peter Crouch.

However, Reds skipper Steven Gerrard will be eager to ensure his side finish a disappointing season with some style and the three points.