Liverpool-Arsenal: Arshavin Dents Benitez' Title Bid

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

A blistering four-goal salvo from Andrey Arshavin delivered a severe blow to Liverpool's title push on another classic night at Anfield.

Almost 20 years ago, these sides came head-to-head for the league on the last day of the season. Arsenal came out on top when a midfielder with the desire to drive into the box snatched the championship with the last kick of the season.

Arsenal cannot win the league this time, but with Andrey Arshavin showing the same determination as Michael Thomas did that famous night―and proving why he should have been picked in the cup semi―the Gunners might come closer next year.

The Russian dynamo had four shots, and Pepe Reina picked them all out of the back of the net. In fact they were the only attempts Arsenal had on target, although Cesc Fabregas and Nicklas Bendtner were both denied by close offsides.

Liverpool have been accused of relying too heavily on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres this season, but such was the importance on Arshavin that Liverpool probably would have strolled to victory and kept a clean sheet had Wenger repeated the mistakes of Saturday.

Both teams had reasons to wince. Liverpool turned a one-nil deficit into a two-one advantage, had 14 shots on target―two which were cleared off the line―and nine wide or over.

Arsenal failed to repay Arshavin's brilliance by conceding within two minutes of his third and fourth goals, and Liverpool even had two minutes to try and make it 5-4.

Arsenal's soft centre held about as much resistance as a dippy egg. Liverpool could have scored 10, the visitors were all over the place throughout, and Silvestre struggled to contain Torres all night.

The Gunners took the lead in the 37th minute when Nasri's well-timed pass played Cesc Fabregas in. Reina was exposed, and the Arsenal skipper squared to Arshavin to complete the formality of scoring via the crossbar.

Liverpool emerged from half-time like a wounded animal and Arsenal couldn't cope with the sheer verocity with which the home sought to restore parity.

Arsene Wenger's men made their own problems by refusing to clear the ball in the tightest spots, and the Reds, roared on by the Kop now, were in a punishing mood. A text book Torres header levelled things within three minutes, and Youssi Benayoun bravely reached the ball at the far post to turn in the second on 56.

Arsenal looked beaten but when Alvaro Arbeloa lost his bearings on Arsenal's left, Arshavin nipped in and unleashed a thunderous right-foot strike into the bottom right corner from 20 yards.

Another mistake saw Aurelio slip inside his own area 180 seconds later, and who was there to slam home unerringly? Arshavin, of course, to complete an unlikely hatrick. This is a player who has never played at Anfield, remember.

Equally inevitable was Torres's next equaliser within two minutes, a sublime finish after leading Silvestre on a merry dance on the edge of the area.

With Liverpool pushing for the win, they left themselves exposed from their own corner and Theo Walcott dashed away. Liverpool defenders must have had collective flashbacks of Walcott's last memorable run out at Anfield and the winger didn't disappoint, playing through Arshavin, the Russian's diminutive legs still matching his desire to score.

He still had much to do, but leathered the ball left-footed and beat Reina on his near post with as calculated a finish as your likely to see.

Arsenal completed the sequel to last season's classic meeting at Anfield by blowing the chance to win again. You have to credit Liverpool, Benayoun bundled home another never-say-die goal to keep their title dreams alive, three minutes into stoppage time.

Liverpool should have beaten an injury ravaged Arsenal, who, overall, can be upbeat in the circumstances. The winners―from both Premiership and Champions League perspectives: Manchester United.

Liverpool:

Reina 6, Arbeloa 5, Carragher 6, Agger 6, Aurelio 5, Alonso 6, Mascherano 6, Benayoun 8, Kuyt 7 (El Zhar 86, 5), Riera 7 (Babel 74, 6), Torres 8.

Goals:

Torres 49, Benayoun 56, Torres 72, Benayoun 90.

Arsenal:

Fabianski 6, Sagna 5, Toure 6, Silvestre 5, Gibbs 6, Arshavin 10, Song 7, Fabregas 7, Denilson 4 (Walcott 65, 7), Nasri 7, Bendtner 6 (Diaby 90, 4).

Goals:

Arshavin 36, 67, 70, 90.

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