Tottenham Hotspur secured a fifth successive away Premier League victory and moved up to fifth place after Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice in a 3-1 win at Swansea City on Sunday.
Adebayor opened the scoring after 35 minutes with a near post header from Christian Eriksen's cross, and after Chico Flores turned a Kyle Walker cross into his own net early in the second half, the Togo striker made it 3-0 with 19 minutes left having been set up by Danny Rose.
Wilfried Bony capped a tireless effort by pulling one goal back for the hosts who sit are three points above the relegation zone.
Spurs are level on 43 points with Liverpool, although Everton could overtake them both with victory over West Bromwich Albion on Monday, while defeat prolongs a dire run for Michael Laudrup's Swansea who have failed to win in eight league matches dating back to early December.
Liverpool held
Liverpool's challenge faltered after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Aston Villa in the tea-time kickoff at Anfield on Saturday.
The away side looked good value for the win after they had taken a 2-0 lead but two goals in eight minutes for Liverpool brought them right back into the match.
After Andreas Weimann had scored a tap-in following a fast Villa break in the 25th minute, Cristian Benteke further extended the lead with a header from close range in the 36th minute.
Daniel Sturridge halved the deficit at the stroke of half-time following a clever pass from Jordan Henderson before Gerrard’s smartly taken penalty which came about as a result of goalkeeper Brad Guzan clipping Luis Suarez.
The home side would have fancied their chances of scoring a winner but it was not be and the point left them in fourth place with 43 points – three behind Chelsea who host Manchester United in the late game on Sunday.
Following the match, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he was pleased with a good point’.
"We weren't great, but it was going to be very important we got something from the game. We've shown yet again great character to come back," he told reporters.
"It was a good point. I don't think we were anywhere near our level in the first half and I think you have to give credit to Aston Villa for that because they started very, very well.
"Their front two were a real threat for us and tactically we had to do something in the game to change it, to try and change the momentum. "But have a look at the last week – Stoke away and Aston Villa at home.
In the same games last season, we got no points from them. This time we've taken four out of the six."
Liverpool are awaiting news on Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva who came on as a second-half substitute but then left the field with a knee injury.
Liverpool's next league action is on Jan 28 when they face Everton at home in the Merseyside derby.
Meanwhile, Manchester City continued their remarkable goalrush as they beat Cardif City 4-2 at the Etihad on Saturday. Edin Dzeko’s opener in the 14th minute signalled a 100 goals scored for City with about five months to go still in the season.
Criag Noone equalised in the 29th minute but Jesus Navas immediately restored City’s lead before Yaya Toure (76) and Sergio Aguero (79) scored to settle the matter.
Fraizer Campbell got a consolation for the visitors in injury time.
They, however, continue to trail Arsenal by a point, who beat Fulham 2-0 thanks to a brace from Santi Cazorla.
Arsenal are on top with 50 points and their next league game is against Southampton at St Mary’s.
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