The Reds were brimming with confidence from their historic defeat of Juventus on Wednesday, but lacked their recent fluid passing.
Booking their place in the Champions League semi-final put Liverpool firmly back on European football's power map and they were keen to impose their presence early on.
The home side's critics drew attention to their dismal record in the Premiership in games following their European adventures, but Rafa Benitez silenced all doubts with 'a watch this space' rallying cry before the match. And with Steven Gerrard back at the helm after recovering from a groin strain - he must have been expecting a win.
However, Gerrard was clearly uncomfortable and looked unable to fully stretch for his trademark crunching challenges and his usual pin-point passing drifted wide of the mark.
And just as the game appeared to be sinking into a midfield quagmire, Spurs' Erik Edman unleashed a 40-yard thunderbolt in the 12th minute.
Instead of controlling a wayward ball, the eagle-eyed visitor spotted Jerzy Dudek just off his line and Edman launched a stunning swerving left-foot drive that the hapless goalie could only watch as it sailed into the back of the net.
Liverpool were left reeling by Tottenham's early wonder strike and Gerrard appealed for calm from his team-mates as they trudged back to the centre circle.
Anfield's one bright spark in the first half was Xabi Alonso, who hasn't missed a beat since returning from a shattered right ankle, and was determined to carry on his Champions League heroics.
The Spanish international was an inspiration going forward and kept Liverpool in the game. It remains to be seen if Alonso and Gerrard can find their top form together, but when either of them are playing, the Anfield faithful can be sure of some midfield magic.
Alonso's pinpoint passing clearly helped the captain settle down into his game and they both started to orchestrate Liverpool's play.
The Reds threw everything they had at Spurs in the closing stages of the first half and it paid off a minute before the break, when Luis Garcia collected the ball just inside the area and calmly tucked it away.
Liverpool looked more determined after their half-time pep talk, but they were caught with three dubious offside calls much to the Kop's frustration.
But the hosts were caught napping again by Robbie Keane as Spurs regained the lead in the 55th minute, courtesy of a deflected header by the Irishman.
The Reds were handed a chance to equalise again moments later when Gerrard was bought down in the penalty area by a clumsy tackle from Michael Carrick.
Liverpool's captain looked anything but fantastic as he nervously stepped up to take the spot-kick and sliced it wide of the mark and into the middle tier of the stand.
But they were level again minutes later when unlikely hero Sami Hyypia unleashed a right-foot rocket from a scrappy Gerrard corner.
The England midfielder slid the ball to Steve Finnan and his attempted cross only rebounded to Hyypia at the edge of the box, but the Finnish defender deftly placed the ball past Paul Robinson's right hand.
Liverpool were clearly inspired by Hyypia's heroics and continued their all-out assault on Spurs' back four.
Gerrard nearly redeemed his earlier blunders when he brilliantly threaded the ball through two white shirts to Finnan, but the Irishman pulled his shot wide with only Robinson to beat.
Djibril Cisse received a rapturous reception when he came on to replace a tired Antonio Nunez on 78 minutes. The French striker made a remarkable comeback from a broken leg in Turin earlier in the week and looked intent on proving his fitness.
He looked comfortable running at defenders and at one point demanded the ball from Garcia and with a deft ankle flick, nearly beat Michael Dawson to get through on goal.
Tottenham gave Liverpool one last fright when Keane's break was halted and the ball fell to Simon Davies on the edge of the area, but his thunderous effort produced a fine save from Dudek.
But it was the Reds who should have scored with the last throw of the dice, when Gerrard danced through the visiting defence and his fine shot beat Robinson, only to be denied by the woodwork.
After the game, Spurs coach Martin Jol said: "When you come to Liverpool it's always hard. We had a good start but the crowd was on a high and Liverpool were on a high from the Champions League which was always going to make it harder.
"We sat with them for a bit in the first half and their second equaliser was frustrating.
"We wanted to win this game which is why we kept the system of two strikers until the end and perhaps that cost us the win."
He added: "Edman's strike was terrific. I'm always telling him to keep it down in practice and hit it straight but he came up trumps for us today."
Rafa Benitez said: "We had a very good game, but we were unlucky not to take advantage of our chances.
"The last 20 minutes of the second half were brilliant, we had it all - shots on target, hitting the post - I thought we deserved to win. I am pleased with our performance, but the result is very disappointing."
Of his captain's return, he added: "Stevie looked to me to be slightly behind from missing the game midweek and for me his penalties are usually a guarantee.
"I don't believe fourth position is out of our reach yet, we have plenty more opportunities to win games."
Man of the Match: Xabi Alonso
The Spaniard's passing was flawless and kept Liverpool in the game after Spurs twice took the lead.