FROM derby delight to Diaby despair. Just when it appeared Liverpool had turned the corner, they found themselves up a familiar cul-de-sac last night.

Another visit to the Emirates ended in another disappointing evening for Rafael Benitez’s side as their winter revival came shuddering to a halt.

So much for talk of closing the gap on third-placed Arsenal. This, should it have been necessary, was a reminder the Anfield outfit are still facing an almighty scrap to claim that fourth and final Champion League qualification berth.

The defensive resolve that guided them to victory over neighbours Everton at the weekend had looked set to gain at least a point from this meeting with Arsene Wenger’s side.

But once Jamie Carragher was forced to limp off shortly after the interval with a groin problem, matters began to unravel with Abou Diaby heading in a Tomas Rosicky cross for the only goal of the game with 18 minutes remaining.

Arsenal were never quite the “wounded animal” that Steven Gerrard had warned of following back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea, and Liverpool will no doubt regard this as an opportunity missed to extend their seven-game unbeaten league run.

As in the Anfield meeting between the teams in December, Benitez’s side deserved better, and should have at least been given the chance to earn a draw when Gerrard’s free-kick struck Cesc Fabregas on the hand just inside the area, only for referee Howard Webb to wave away strong appeals for a penalty.

That the Arsenal skipper later admitted the crime rubbed salt in the wound for Benitez’s side. It was another hard luck story to file alongside those of rogue beach balls, injury crises and last-minute defeats.

Liverpool have now not won in six visits to the Emirates and not since February 2000 have they returned to Merseyside with three points from Arsenal, for whom this victory has rekindled title aspirations.

In truth, a goalless draw would have been a fair result. While sound in defence, Liverpool struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances of their own, leading to an encounter low on entertainment between two teams desperately seeking their best form.

Benitez’s side only consistently threatened after falling behind, and it took a fine save from Manuel Almunia and the width of the crossbar to prevent substitute Ryan Babel netting a sensational equaliser.

But this was an evening when the absence of creative trio Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson was keenly felt. David Ngog toiled away diligently as the lone striker, but made little impression.

With Tottenham Hotspur losing and Aston Villa also failing to win, this defeat is not as costly as it may have been. But with Manchester City having emerged as likely main rivals for fourth place, Liverpool’s next Premier League assignment at Eastlands on Sunday week will do much to shape the remainder of their campaign.

There were some positives, however. Gerrard, now injury free, is rediscovering his verve while Javier Mascherano posted another fine performance in helping screen the back four alongside Lucas Leiva. Certainly, this one setback must not detract from the progress made in recent weeks.

After the medieval battle with Everton at the weekend, matters were much more sedate at the Emirates.

Arsenal were understandably slow out of the blocks and it allowed Liverpool to gain an early grip on proceedings that, by and large, they maintained until the interval.

That said, they were handed an early warning in the seventh minute when slack marking at a Fabregas free-kick from the right gave William Gallas the space to send a free header over from eight yards.