Liverpool remain top of the Premiership after a late penalty from Michael Owen secured a 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
The Reds opened the scoring with a superb Danny Murphy strike but his long-range effort was cancelled out by the head of Dean Richards.
But Owen saved the day, converting his own penalty five minutes from time to bag the points in what was, for the most part, a disappointing clash.
Liverpool old boy Jamie Redknapp was given a warm welcome by the home fans on his first return to Anfield since his summer departure.
In a scrappy opening period there were no clear-cut chances for either side to capitalise upon.
Liverpool struggled to break down the resilient Spurs defence and it was the visitors who almost took the lead on 22 minutes.
Ex-Reds captain Redknapp was fouled 30 yards from goal. Jerzy Dudek failed to hold onto his resulting free-kick and Carragher was forced to jump in and clear his lines.
And there was controversy minutes later when Owen looked to have opened the scoring for the home side. But referee Mike Riley ruled it out for a foul by Diouf in the build-up.
The second period was proving just as a dull as the first until a frantic ten-minute spell that began with Spurs midfielder Gus Poyet denied twice and ended with a wonder goal from the Reds' Murphy.
In the 62nd minute Robbie Keane fed a neat pass through to Poyet, he turned and shot but it was kept out by an excellent save from keeper Dudek.
From the corner Poyet outjumped the Liverpool defence but his header was dramatically cleared off the line by a perfectly positioned Dietmar Hamann.
Owen missed a great chance to snatch the lead but his team-mate Murphy made no mistake in the 72nd minute. From 25 yards he curled the ball around Spurs keeper Keller for a fantastic goal.
But the visitors showed their character and battled back with a headed goal from staunch defender Dean Richards.
The game looked to be heading for a draw un