Liverpool's Champions League dream is still alive as they forced another near super-human effort from tired and weary bodies in their eighth match in 23 days.

Gary McAllister guided the Anfield side into the UEFA Cup final, and Liverpool needed the Scot to grab his third vital dead-ball goal in seven days to put them on the way to victory over Tottenham.

In the dying minutes Robbie Fowler headed an excellent goal, but McAllister's goal, Liverpool's second, was the key.

Last Monday he belted home a 44-yard free-kick to win the Mersey derby at Everton.

On Thursday it was a vital penalty to dump Barcelona out of the UEFA Cup, and this time it was another spot-kick to force Liverpool in front in a vital Premiership clash.

Three games and three wins in seven days keep Liverpool competing on three fronts, but how much more can be demanded of their players remains to be seen.

An early goal from Emile Heskey put Liverpool in the driving seat, but they lost their top scorer with a leg injury as Spurs fought bravely for something to take back to north London with a patched-up, injury-hit squad.

With Ipswich and Leeds marching towards the third qualification spot for the Champions League, Liverpool were once again playing Sunday catch-up.

Gerard Houllier put Patrik Berger in midfield instead of Dietmar Hamann to increase his side's attacking power, such was the desperate need for points.

Spurs had their own problems, though, and were without 13 players through injury. Among them were Sol Campbell, Les Ferdinand, Chris Perry, Steffen Freund and Sergei Rebrov.

After the emotional and physical effort of beating Barcelona, Liverpool's clear intent was the make their all-round experience tell early on.

And on six minutes they got a dream start through Heskey, who burst through a flat backline on to a Berger pass to cooly side-foot home from 15 yards.

The procession towards Spurs' goal continued, and Vladimir Smicer was next to test Sullivan, this time with a low angled drive that the Scottish international pushed around a post.

Tottenham's first venture into Liverpool's box ended with a Gary McAllister headed clearance and a surge upfield by Steven Gerrard, who put Michael Owen in on the left.

He beat Stephen Carr and fired in a shot which Sullivan saved but spilled. The keeper needed to dive out bravely to save as Gerrard hurled himself at the ball in the six yard box.

Liverpool thought they had scored again on 23 minutes when Berger's fierce drive across the box was headed in by Owen, showing astonishing reflexes, only for the 'goal' to be disallowed for offside.

Liverpool were still contesting the decision when Spurs broke straight from the free-kick. Former Liverpool midfielder Oyvind Leonhardsen charged down the left and played a square pass for Willem Korsten, who arrived in the box unmarked and cracked a shot in from 12 yards.

That was after 24 minutes and Spurs' response had been impressive. Despite being forced on to the back foot, they had kept their discipline and handled the pressure.

Heskey was forced off with an injured left leg, having cause the painful problem himself when he fouled Korsten on 35 minutes. Robbie Fowler came on as substitute.

A 25-yard Gerrard shot hit the bar, and Liverpool had a good shout for a penalty turned down when McAllister put Owen clear down the middle two minutes before the break.

The England man looked to be brought down from behind by Anthony Gardner, but referee Barry Knight waved play on despite frantic appeals.

There were tired minds as well as tired bodies and Liverpool's speed of thought was poor, while Spurs were eager and determined.

A break from midfield and chip by Tim Sherwood only just cleared Sander Westerveld's bar on 65 minutes.

By now Hamann was into the fray in place of Smicer, and young Frenchman Gregory Vignal came on for a tired Jamie Carragher at left-back, but Liverpool were floundering despite vast amounts of possession.

A string of corners from McAllister failed to produce a decisive shot, and Spurs broke clear only for Westerveld to save from Stephen Clemence and then Gary Doherty.

When Liverpool's second goal arrived it was fortunate. An Owen effort from 10 yards looked to hit Luke Young on the arm inside the box, but it was a harsh decision and one that cost Clemence a booking for complaining.

McAllister stayed cool again to fire home the penalty and Liverpool had inched themselves in front.

Liverpool were just grateful for the slice of luck, and hung on as Spurs struggled for parity.

But with two minutes left Markus Babbel sent over a soaring, perfect cross from the right and Fowler raced into the box to land a powerful header into the far corner. Job done.

Liverpool: Westerveld, Babbel, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher (Vignal 64), Smicer (Hamann 54), Gerrard, McAllister, Berger, Heskey (Fowler 40), Owen.

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Arphexad.

Booked: Vignal.

Goals: Heskey 7, McAllister 73 pen, Fowler 88.

Tottenham: Sullivan, Carr, Gardner, Young, Thelwell, Davies (Piercy 78), Clemence, Leonhardsen, Sherwood, Doherty, Korsten.

Subs Not Used: Walker, Etherington, Hillier, Ferguson.

Booked: Clemence.

Goals: Korsten 24.

Att: 43,547

Ref: B Knight (Orpington).