A late penalty from captain Steven Gerrard allowed Liverpool to secure a 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield this afternoon.

Hosts Liverpool dominated large spells of the first half, but it was Spurs who had the first meaningful effort on goal when Gareth Bale saw his swerving free kick from 25 yards out pushed clear by Brad Jones.

The Reds finally made their pressure tell with 21 minutes on the clock. Jose Enrique slotted a pass through to Luis Suarez, who managed to poke the ball inside Hugo Lloris's near post from a narrow angle.

The same player had a chance to dominate Liverpool's advantage moments later, but Lloris got the better of him on this occasion with a diving save.

Just when it looked as though the home team were going to take the lead into the break, Spurs notched an equaliser in first-half stoppage time. Bale sent over a cross for Jan Vertonghen, who headed the ball into the net from close range.

The Belgian centre-back added a second eight minutes after the restart as Spurs took the lead for the first time in the match. Daniel Agger failed to clear Bale's free kick and Vertonghen was on hand to convert from 10 yards out.

Just before the hour mark Andre Villas-Boas's side went close to adding their third goal, but Gylfi Sigurdsson saw his low shot from a Bale cross turned against the upright by Jones.

That save proved crucial for Liverpool because in the 66th minute they managed to draw themselves level. Visiting full-back Kyle Walker played a wayward pass across his own area that Lloris failed to connect with. That allowed Stewart Downing a free run on goal and he sent the ball into the net between Vertonghen's legs.

Both sides then went on to create chances, but it was Liverpool who scored the vital goal eight minutes from time. Suarez was upended inside the area by Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Gerrard stepped up to dispatch the resultant penalty.

The victory means that Liverpool have moved up to sixth in the Premier League standings.