There was no resignation from Gerry Francis only an emotive speech with an air of resignation about it. Perhaps that will prove to be enough. For the time being at least Tottenham Hotspur have a manager. For just how long remains to be seen. "I haven't considered stepping down but a manager does have his pride," said Francis with the look of a man readying himself for as dignified an exit as will prove possible in circumstances that are unfortunate to say the least - one league win in 10, 16th in the Premiership and just three points above the basement. "We do not have a game for a fortnight so I will be having a chat with my chairman to see where we go from here," he added.

It was shortly after Liverpool's second goal had sparked the total, and highly embarrassing, capitulation of his team that the Tottenham faithful actually told Francis precisely where it is he should go from here.

From amid a sea of hands, moving as one as if to wave farewell, rose the cry: "Bye bye, Gerry." It was actually more of an epitaph. What followed was even more poignant, a touching reminder that all any supporter asks of his side is that they try their level best and are true to the traditions of the club they represent.

"We want our Tottenham back," they demanded of those in white shirts who seemed grimly determined to betray that proud tradition. Clearly, they did not hear or perhaps, they simply did not care.

The general consensus, though, was that this, rather implausibly, was one of Tottenham's more coherent performances. If that be so, is it any wonder there is mutiny in the air down the Tottenham high road. They were shambolic in all but those isolated moments of flowing enterprise when natural instinct was allowed to prevail over a tactical plan which seemed to revolve around presenting the ball to David Ginola and then hoping for the best.

True, they lacerated Liverpool's defence several times in a laboured first half but to have declined what amounted to a gilt-edged invitation to wield the knife would have been rude in the extreme and when the capitulation came it was emphatic.

At least it was a quick and clean kill. Two minutes after the re-start, Steve McManaman tapped in after Ian Walker had reached, but not held, a Jamie Redknapp drive and another three minutes in, Oyvind Leonhardsen steered in after Walker had reached, but not held, Robbie Fowler's attempt.

Unforgivably, Tottenham promptly abandoned all hope in what was tantamount to a gutless and spineless surrender. No attempt at recovery was made. A splendid low drive by Redknapp and an opportunist strike by substitute Michael Owen neatly wrapped things up for the grateful Merseysiders.

Liverpool: James, Jones (McAteer 87), Kvarme, McManaman (Berger 87), Leonhardsen, Fowler, Redknapp, Riedle (Owen 75), Ince, Bjornebye, Matteo. Subs Not Used: Harkness, Nielson. Goals: Leonhardsen 50, McManaman 48, Owen 86, Redknapp 65.

Tottenham Hotspur: Walker, Edinburgh, Howells, Calderwood (Domingues 68), Anderton (Sinton 68), Carr, Ginola, Scales, Iversen, Allen (Armstrong 14), Campbell. Subs Not Used: Fox, Baardsen. Booked: Ginola.

Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).