Harry Redknapp hails Wilson Palacios as the new Graham Roberts

Harry Redknapp reckons Wilson Palacios is the new Graham Roberts in the Tottenham team.

The Honduran hardman was at his bruising best as Spurs overpowered a Liverpool midfield badly missing the departed Xavi Alonso.

And Redknapp, who bought Palacios for £12m from Wigan in January to add more steel to his side, reckons he has all the attributes of the former England defender who won the FA Cup twice and UEFA Cup at White Hart Lane.

"We look a much better group of players now," said the Spurs boss, who took over last October.

"Palcios is a Graham Roberts-type of figure for us now. He gives us something different in midfield and we need players like him here if we are going to be successful."

Palacios missed the end of last season when the body of his younger brother Edwin was found in Honduras after he had been kidnapped in 2007.

But on the field, the 25-year-old has quickly become a key player in the side and earned the respect and admiration of his team-mates.

Captain Ledley King said: "He's brilliant and the type of player the club's been looking for for a long time. He's all action, he wins the ball and he's great with the ball as well.

"He keeps the ball and he's great for a defender because he breaks up so much in front of you, does a lot of hard work for us so we're delighted to have him."

The deserved 2-1 win over Liverpool convinced King that Tottenham's silent assassins can finally crack the top four this season.

"During the summer it's been quiet," said the England defender, who is set to miss the trip to Hull tomorrow to rest his knee. "There's not been a lot of talk about us and the top four and I've enjoyed that, because for the last few seasons we've been talking about the fact that we could break in, that we could do this and we could do that.

"It's been nice to say nothing and go out and just work hard and do it. With the quality we've got it's possible to get into the top four.

"We want to take it just one game at a time and win as many games as possible. You never know, we might win the League if we do that! I think not being in the Europa Cup this season could possibly help us."

After Tottenham won their opening Premier League match for the first time since 2005, Liverpool looked less impressive as the home side cut off the supply line to Stevie Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

"Of course Liverpool are going to miss Alonso, he is quality," said Redknapp. "They couldn't get the ball to Gerrard playing in that hole off the Torres.

"I was worried about how Gerrard could hurt us but with a pressing game it restricted possession for Liverpool.

"We frustrated Liverpool forcing them to knock the ball long and are two centre halves could just head the ball away."

But Leiva Lucas insisted Liverpool had to "forget" about Alonso - and said he can fill the Spaniard's boots in the centre of the park.

"He had a great record here and played really well, especially last season," said the Brazil midfielder.

"But we have to forget, we have to think about the players in our squad now. Of course we all miss him but we cannot do anything. We have to forget the players who have left.

"I think I can replace him. I have the confidence. I had a good preseason and hopefully I will keep the same level."