Title hopefuls Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat in their first game of the new Barclays Premier League campaign as Sebastien Bassong scored on his debut for Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez had spent the summer plotting how to overhaul champions Manchester United, having fallen just short last season in the quest for a first title since 1990.

New arrival Glen Johnson, who cost £17million from Portsmouth, started at right-back, Dutchman Ryan Babel was chosen ahead of Yossi Benayoun with Spain forward Fernando Torres expected to again provide the goals along with captain Steven Gerrard, fit following a groin problem.

Given title rivals United had won earlier in the afternoon, coupled with victories on Saturday for both Chelsea and, most impressively, Arsenal, there was little margin for error if Liverpool were to avoid playing catch up after just one match.

However, the Reds never really got going, with Torres particularly disappointing.

Indeed, Liverpool should have been more than 1-0 down at half-time had Anfield old boy Robbie Keane not missed a couple of clear chances before full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto smashed in a 25-yard effort past Pepe Reina.

Although the visitors were handed a lifeline back into the match when Johnson was upended by keeper Heurelho Gomes to give away a penalty, which Gerrard converted on 54 minutes, Spurs soon regained the lead as Bassong, an £8million signing from Newcastle, headed in a free-kick from Luka Modric.

While there is, of course, plenty of football left to be played between now and May, Benitez knows his men will have to do much, much better if they are to finish ahead of the rest.

Wayne Rooney's first-half goal gave champions Manchester United a 1-0 win over Birmingham in their opener at Old Trafford.

Rooney tapped home on 34 minutes after his header had hit a post to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men all three points.

It was the highlight of a low-key display from the Red Devils, who are beginning life without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

United started confidently with £16million new boy Antonio Valencia providing plenty of pace and threat on the right.

But it was Nani on the left who proved the catalyst for their winner, linking up beautifully with Patrice Evra before crossing for Rooney.

The England man got up really well to beat Joe Hart with a header that struck the base of a post before rebounding into his path for an easy tap-in.

Birmingham, who will play much worse this season and win, almost hit back immediately as Franck Queudrue had a header cleared off the line by Evra.

United should have gone 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time, but Darren Fletcher sliced horribly wide from 10 yards out with the goal gaping.

After the break United were fitful in attack, though Rooney forced Hart into a couple of fine saves and Berbatov had a penalty appeal turned down after a challenge from Carr.

Birmingham gave a debut to new boy Christian Benitez for the final 15 minutes, and he almost made a sensational impact by beating the offside trap to force Ben Foster into a fine low save.

Michael Owen came on for United in the closing stages, and had a great chance to crown his debut with a goal deep into stoppage time.

But after being put through by a beautiful chested flick from Rooney, he saw his shot saved by Hart.