THERE is losing and there is losing. And this was unbelievable, unexpected but most of all unacceptable.

 For the second time in the space of a fortnight, Liverpool saw their encouraging start to the campaign checked by a revitalised Tottenham Hotspur.

 But if Rafael Benitez’s side could claim to be aggrieved by an undeserved defeat here in the Premier League defeat 11 days ago, there could be no such complaints this time.

 A dreadful defensive capitulation during the final seven minutes of the first half was enough to end any Anfield interest in the Carling Cup for another year.

 Roman Pavlyuchenko, the matchwinner earlier this month, netted the opener before Frazier Campbell, on loan from Manchester United, helped himself to a brace.

 Pavlyuchenko’s second ended any hope of a second-half comeback for Liverpool with goals from Damien Plessis and Sami Hyypia merely a case of damage limitation.

 With first-team regulars Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Dirk Kuyt, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio and Pepe Reina not in action last night, it’s unlikely this defeat will have too much bearing on the immediate Premier League aspirations of Benitez’s side.

 But this was a wake-up call to the Liverpool manager that maybe there isn’t the strength in depth he believes is at his disposal.

 Where were the positives? Well, Lucas Leiva kept plugging away in midfield and at least showed a few decent touches.

 That, though, was about it. His goal apart, Plessis offered little assistance to Lucas in midfield and allowed Tom Huddlestone to dominate until the arrival of Xabi Alonso from the bench.

 Too many players failed to make the most of their opportunity, and the likes of Ryan Babel and young duo David Ngog Nabil El Zhar only came to life when the game was already lost.

 Philipp Degen in particular suffered a torrid evening, at times embarrassingly off the pace and caught in possession on far, far too many occasions.