Bassong scored his first goal in English football to put an early dent into the Reds` hopes of going one better and winning the Barclays Premier League this season.

And he paid tribute to the influence of Ledley King in helping him to settle in at the north London club.

Bassong told Sky Sports: "It is the perfect debut, my first game with Spurs, and I am really happy to score to get the win.

"To win the first game is really good for the confidence and good for the team in the head and the mind

"But to play next to Ledley is easy because he talks all the time and he helped me so I have just had to work hard like him."

King said: "After beginning last season so badly, it was important to get off to a good start. Liverpool was always going to be a tough side.

"But, in terms of the team work and the work rate, we couldn't have asked for anymore.

"It is the first game, a hot day, both teams were a bit tentative but, when we picked up the pace we looked the most dangerous.

"When we caught them on the break, we looked at our best."