Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end as they were thumped 3-0 by Liverpool.

A blistering first half from Liverpool saw Raheem Sterling give them an early lead after a well worked move.

A contentious penalty won by Joe Allen was converted by Steven Gerrard to make it two before a fine solo effort from full-back Alberto Moreno made it 3-0.

Tottenham were out to avenge the 5-0 humbling of last season which cost Andre Villas-Boas his job.

But their wrectched record against sides that finished in last season’s top four continued as they were thoroughly outplayed.

The Anfield side made an explosive start to the match, something which nearly fired them to the title last season, and new signing Mario Balotelli had a great opportunity after just two minutes when he got on the end of a cross by Daniel Sturridge. But his header was well saved by Hugo Lloris and he could not convert the rebound.

It was not long before Brendan Rogers’ side took the lead.

Sturridge drifted to the right hand side and found Jordan Henderson in acres of space who caressed the ball across the six yard box for Sterling to slot it home.

Spurs could have hit back straight away when a long ball from Nabil Bentaleb found Emmanuel Adebayor who tried to lob goalkeeper Simon Mignolet but could only find the top of the net.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side had been praised for their defence performances so far this season but were carved open time and time again by the excellent movement of the Liverpool strike force.

Much of the hype surrounding the match revolved around Liverpool’s latest addition Balotelli and he had a second golden chance to score on his debut when Lloris came charging out his box only to clear the ball straight to the Italian who got his shot horribly wrong.

A long ball by Younis Kaboul missed Adebayor and found Nacir Chadli bursting through the middle but his shot was well saved by Mignolet.

Liverpool started quickly in the second half once more and they doubled their advantage with a controversial penalty.

Sturridge fed Joe Allen who went down easily under a tug from Eric Dier which referee Phil Dowd deemed a foul and pointed to the spot leaving Gerrard to convert with aplomb.

Substitute Andros Towsnend made an immediate impact from the bench but not in the way he would have wanted as he was dispossessed easily by Moreno who drifted unchallenged into the Spurs half before unleashing his shot which rifled into the bottom left-hand corner.

A magnificent mazey run from Sterling almost added gloss to the scoreline but he was too calm with his end product and passed the ball into Lloris’ gloves.

The result will no doubt damage the morale of what was a buoyant Spurs side who face a trips to Sunderland and Partizan Belgrade in the space of a week after the international break.