TWENTY-FOUR hours too late, but sealed with heartfelt kisses, Luis Garcia can expect the arrival of 44,000 Valentine's Cards at Melwood today.

The Spaniard departed the pitch too soon to earn the hugs of his team-mates after securing a vital three points.

In the light of recent lurid Sunday tabloid stories, maybe the PFA have issued a warning about taking celebrations too far.

At the very least, Garcia deserved a few firm handshakes in the dressing room from his colleagues and manager, who'll cherish the 87th minute winner for ensuring Liverpool got the reward a vastly improved performance deserved.

Garcia is a player who must be accepted warts and all. If recent weeks have shown anything, his blemishes are worth indulging when he provides the kind of match-winning contribution beyond so many others within the squad.

Liverpool chances of scoring, or creating goals, significantly improve when he's on the pitch.

As the sole player from either side following up on Didi Hamann's spectacular effort, Garcia proved Robbie Fowler isn't the only natural poacher at the club.

Rafa Benitez couldn't understate the importance of this victory, which must surely guarantee Champions League football next season.

His team reminded us why the much heralded Anfield resurgence shouldn't be dismissed on the basis of recent setbacks.

In doing so, they also underlined why rumours of Arsenal's decline have not been greatly exaggerated.

But for the visiting goalkeeper, this could have been a St Valentine's Day massacre.

The longer Jens Lehmann excelled, the more Kopites wished they'd kept those restaurant bookings with their other half.

An acrobatic stop from Phillipe Senderos' block in the first half was matched by the penalty save which ruined Steven Gerrard's 100% spot kick record for this season. The Reds didn't necessarily earn the pen, but they deserved a goal.