Indeed, none of the six major signings made by the Spaniard last season were in the first XI yesterday, with the most expensive – Robbie Keane – lining up for the opposition.

Although Tottenham still had an outside chance of European qualification, there was very much an end-of-season feeling to a low-key fixture.

Liverpool began the brighter and, after Steven Gerrard struck one 25-yard curler on to the roof of the net, Aurelio’s corner from the left was headed down by Martin Skrtel for Yossi Benayoun to hook narrowly over.

The opener eventually arrived on 31 minutes when slack Tottenham defending allowed Gerrard to feed Kuyt and the Dutchman’s deep right-wing cross was headed in off the underside of the crossbar by Fernando Torres.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina made a good stop to prevent Jermain Defoe from equalising shortly before the break but Liverpool were in control without ever getting out of first gear.

Their second arrived shortly after the hour, Kuyt and Benayoun passing their way through the Tottenham defence before the former’s shot was deflected in by Alan Hutton’s boot.

Keane’s 77th-minute goal ended Reina’s hopes of a third Golden Gloves award and led to the curious sight of Liverpool supporters applauding the Irishman, presumably out of sympathy after his best efforts were never quite enough to persuade Benitez during his brief Anfield sojourn.

Yet victory was assured eight minutes from time when Gerrard fed Benayoun and the Israeli nudged the ball under the body of Gomes.

It was the final act of an afternoon in which the Kop waved goodbye to one legend, while fearing they may also have seen the last of another.