Liverpool vs. Arsenal: 10 Moments That Drove Reds Fans to Drink

Arsenal went to Anfield and came away with a 2-1 win that essentially ends Liverpool's chances of finishing in the top four this season.  Arsenal scored all the goals.  Laurent Koscielny's own goal put Liverpool ahead early.  Robin van Persie's first equalized and his second broke every single heart in the red side of Liverpool.

Those are the things you'll see in the highlights.  But we're going deeper.  These are the 10 moments when an inch this way or an inch that way could have kept the vital three points at Anfield.

Downing Flails as Szczesny Prays

Inside the first ten minutes, Arsenal's defense failed to sort out a flighted ball and a threatening Luis Suarez ran onto the free ball.  Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny raced out of his box and headed the ball clear of Suarez, only to find it drop into the path of a completely free Stuart Downing.

Downing took a swipe at the dropping ball as Szczesny stood helplessly 20 yards from his goal.  The keeper breathed and Liverpool cried as Downing whiffed and the opportunity disappeared.

Dirk Kuyt's Missed Penalty

In the 18th minute, Luis Suarez shook off his marker in the box and cut the ball past a sliding Wojciech Szczesny.  The Arsenal keeper appeared to make contact with the Uruguayan (although just barely) and Suarez went down.  The referee pointed to the spot and Liverpool celebrated.

Dirk Kuyt stepped to the spot and promptly saw his drive toward the left side of goal saved by Szczesny.  The ball rebounded toward the right side, but a charging Kuyt couldn't get good contact on his follow up and saw it bounce weakly into Szczesny's gloves.

Luis Suarez Hits a Post

In the 25th minute, a beautiful Liverpool movement across the top of Arsenal's penalty box found a wide open Jordan Henderson 15 yards from goal.  Henderson's side foot drive was saved, but the rebound fell to an onrushing Luis Suarez just outside the left corner of the six-yard box. 

Suarez's follow up smacked solidly into the left post and the chance was gone.

Where's Jamie Carragher When You Need Him?

Just past 30 minutes in, Bacary Sagna swung a ball in from the right side.  Jamie Carragher was skin tight with Robin van Persie when the ball was struck.  By the time the ball arrived, van Persie had created the gap you see here and headed past Pepe Reina from six yards.

Luis Suarez Does Everything Except Score

Half time was just around the corner, but Luis Suarez wasn't done.  He received a ball 20 yards from goal, beat two Arsenal defenders on the turn, beat two more over the next five yards and poked his shot toward the far post. 

Suarez considered his celebration, Arsene Wenger sucked in his breath and Wojciech Szczesny dove to his left getting just enough of a hand on the ball to push it wide.

The Other Post Gets Some Love

In the last real action before the half, Charlie Adam sizzled a low cross in from the left side.  Dirk Kuyt raced to the near post, getting the gentlest of touches just ahead of Arsenal's keeper.  The ball trickled slowly toward the gaping net only to bounce softly off the right post.

Dirk Kuyt Nutmegs Martin Kelly Five Yards from Goal

The game was still tied nearly 70 minutes in when Dirk Kuyt played a beautiful low cross from the right side.  The ball burned up the grass toward the left edge of Arsenal's six-yard box where an arriving Martin Kelly parted his legs only to watch the ball careen straight through them and out for the goal kick.

Downing's Bad Ball Keeps Arsenal Equal

Stuart Downing left Arsenal's Bacary Sagna gasping for air down the left side in the 74th minute.  Luis Suarez had to be salivating as he stood free in the center waiting on the pass. 

He definitely lost his appetite when he saw Downing's mishit ball find its way directly to the Arsenal keeper.

Charlie Adam Ignores Jordan Henderson

It was the 84th minute.  Time was running short.  But Liverpool seemed destined to score a winner.

That's when Charlie Adam lingered and lingered and lingered on the ball, preferring a turnover to playing in a wide open Jordan Henderson.

Van Persie Gets Tired of Waiting

Into the second minute of extra time and Robin van Persie found himself in a gap between Jamie Carragher and Martin Kelly. 

RVP put his hand in the air and broke to the back post, Alex Song chipped a beautiful ball into his path and the Dutchman put Liverpool out of its misery with a left-footed volley five yards from goal.