Liverpool 4, Arsenal 1 (D,Post)

Apr 2 2007 by Ian Doyle at Anfield

Certainly, both Aurelio and Pennant gave Crouch the kind of service on which he thrives, something that hasn’t always been the case this season.

Aurelio in particular impressed, his fine, in-swinging set-piece delivery from the left an invitation for Daniel Agger to glance home his third Liverpool goal on the hour.

After the hullabaloo in midweek over whether Steven Gerrard should continue playing on the right following his fine performance for England, it was typical Benitez to then employ his skipper in another role altogether in supporting Crouch up front.

But with Gerrard clearly jaded from his international exploits, the midfield plaudits instead went to another new central pairing of Alonso and Mascherano.

Alonso outshone his Arsenal rival and compatriot Cesc Fabregas while Mascherano gave further evidence of his talent with a feisty performance, earning appreciation from the Kop for his industry and economical distribution.

However, as in January’s defeat of Chelsea, Liverpool secured a rare league victory over one of their ‘big four’ rivals without approaching their very best form.

It could even be argued their performance in losing to Manchester United in their previous home Premiership game was perhaps more deserving of a thumping victory. The difference on Saturday was Benitez’s men added a finishing touch to their approach play.

Crouch’s opener was Liverpool’s first goal in 291 minutes, and they could have had more than the three others they did score. Crouch solicited a decent save from Lehmann then shot across the face, while after the break Gerrard fired too close the goalkeeper from a good position and Aurelio’s angled drive was tipped wide.

Arsenal, though deeply disappointing and at times defensively inept, did cause some minor concerns, Emmanuel Adebayor heading over soon after Crouch’s first while Julio Baptista – who netted four on his last visit to Anfield in the Carling Cup – sidefooted horribly wide with the score still 1-0.

In the second half, Adebayor hit the woodwork with a low drive and then saw Pepe Reina palm his header brilliantly against the same post before William Gallas gave the visiting support something to cheer on 73 minutes when forcing home at the far post after a Fabregas corner had not been dealt with properly.

The points, however, had long since been determined as Liverpool minds began to focus on more pressing engagements – for the players, the manager and the club’s new owners.

LIVERPOOL (4-4-1-1): Reina; Arbeloa, Agger, Carragher, Aurelio; Pennant, Mascherano (Riise 83), Alonso, Gonzalez (Zenden 69); Gerrard (Kuyt 57); Crouch. Subs: Dudek, Fowler.
BOOKING: Alonso (foul).
 
ARSENAL (4-4-2): Lehmann; Eboue (Hoyte 83), Toure, Gallas, Clichy; Hleb, Denilson, Fabregas, Diaby (Rosicky 65); Baptista (Ljungberg 65), Adebayor. Subs: Almunia, Senderos.
BOOKINGS: Diaby and Fabregas (fouls) and Lehmann (dissent).
 
REFEREE: Steve Bennett.
 
ATT: 43,958.
 
NEXT MATCH: PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool, UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg, tomorrow 7.45pm.