THE end result may have been the same, but the emotions of the beaten Liverpool players as they trudged from the turf were markedly different.

A savage 6-3 defeat to Arsenal in the Carling Cup in January 2007 prompted furious debate over the strength of Rafael Benitez’s squad and his youth policy.

However, there should be no similar post-mortem after the Anfield outfit slipped out of the competition to the same opposition at the Emirates last night.

Frustration and not humiliation was the overriding feeling among the travelling fans, with a makeshift Liverpool having done themselves justice, the supporting cast giving Benitez reasons for encouragement.

And with £20m Alberto Aquilani making his long-awaited bow in a Liverpool shirt, there were significant positives for the Anfield manager.

There was certainly no questioning the commitment and application of Liverpool’s second string last night. After all, progress in this competition represents the best chance of first-team football for many of them.

That said, the harsh fact is that Liverpool have now lost five of their last six games, with their Carling Cup hopes under Benitez ended by London opposition for the sixth successive season.

But with a Premier League trip to Fulham on Saturday followed by a crucial Champions League showdown with Lyon, this fixture was firmly down Benitez’s list of priorities.

There was no Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Jamie Carragher or Glen Johnson in the Liverpool travelling party, with only Dirk Kuyt – named captain for the night – and Emiliano Insua surviving from the team that comprehensively beat Manchester United at the weekend.

But that duo were among seven full internationals in the visitors’ starting line-up, a figure matched by Arsenal – a fact that will no doubt be overlooked by many given the hype surrounding the Gunners’ youth policy.

Youngsters Danny Ayala, Stephen Darby and Nathan Eccleston were all on the Liverpool bench, but eyes were only on Aquilani, available for the first time since his £20m summer arrival from Roma.

The Italian emerged for the final 13 minutes and was soon showing some fine touches, although it’s obvious he remains some way short of full match fitness.

Liverpool could take heart from the manner in which they fought back to ensure parity at the interval following an entertaining and well-fought first period.