Liverpool looked lively from the start with Maxi Rodriguez twice going close from long range.
Their persistence paid off after 42 minutes when defender Martin Skrtel headed a Raul Meireles free kick into the back of teammate David Ngog and reacted sharply to bang in the loose ball.
Rodriguez and Fernando Torres, twice, both took too long to unleash shots either side of halftime when Liverpool should have made the game safe and Spurs took advantage of their escape.
Meireles headed a Gareth Bale shot off the line but Ngog then inexplicably jumped with his hands above his head when in a wall defending a Bale free kick to concede a penalty.
However, Defoe dragged his spot kick wide, Spurs's fourth miss in nine penalties this season.
Tottenham did level five minutes later, though, when Skrtel turned a low Luka Modric cross into his own goal following a driving run by the Croatia midfielder.
They took all three points when Lennon ran on to a Crouch flick two minutes into stoppage time and neatly tucked in the winner.
Liverpool's Martin Skrtel (left) celebrates after netting against Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday
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