Liverpool And Arsenal Tie In Eight Goal Epic At Anfield

[Karl]

Liverpool And Arsenal Tie In Eight Goal Epic At Anfield

An extraordinary to-and-fro eight goal thriller took place this evening, in a game that will no doubt be taped and replayed to purists for years to come.

21 Apr 2009 22:00:01




EPL: Andrey Arshavin, - Arsenal (PA)

Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal

Sentimentality amongst the visiting support was prevalent prior to kick-off as certain pockets of Arsenal fans sported their yellow jerseys in homage to the same fixture a score of years ago where the Gunners required a two goal victory in order to secure a league title, on the last day of the season, at Anfield.

Twenty-years on and there was not as much at stake for Arsenal, but Liverpool were still aiming to gun down Premier League leaders Manchester United, and could have temporarily gone top of the charts with a win this evening.

A feast of attacking football and a spectacular 90 minutes ensued that would have had neutrals everywhere salivating over countless twists, turns, and talking points.

Liverpool began the game with great intent and were clearly the side on a mission as early efforts from Fernando Torres, Albert Riera, and Yossi Benayoun inside the first ten minutes could have provided the home side with an early lead.

Lukasz Fabianski, though, who had such a howling day at the office deputising for Manuel Almunia in between the sticks at Wembley verus Chelsea, was hell-bent on proving his worth in front of Arsene Wenger and got hands to all three shots.

Despite the onslaught to Arsenal's goal, it was Liverpool who ended up conceding first, as Andrey Arshavin found the net - with the aid of the bar - after some good link-up play between Samir Nasri and Francesc Fabregas inside the area. The Spaniard squared the ball to the winter window Russian recruit and Arshavin made no mistake in beating a flapping Pepe Reina.

Rafael Benitez made a tactical re-shift after the break and asked hard-working Dirk Kuyt to move to more of a flanking area on the right hand side, and the switch bore instant results as Liverpool scored twice within ten minutes of the re-start.

Some poor defending by Bacary Sagna, who failed to clear the ball in a dangerous area, found it's way to Kuyt on the right hand side and the Dutchman looped in a pinpoint cross that Torres finished off neatly - and strongly - into the corner of the net with his head.

Benayoun granted the Reds a temporary lead in the 55th minute with a scrappy goal after some poor defensive work again, this time from Fabianski.

Arshavin restored parity - against the run of play - eleven minutes later with a goal from nowhere, as he curled in a powerful effort from outside the box. Three minutes later and the diminutive, finely-balanced Russian international slotted a neat shot under the reaches of Reina.

It took just two minutes for Liverpool to equalise again, when Spanish winger Riera found his fellow national Torres in the box and the silky striker's footwork foiled Mikael Silvestre and, even though Fabianski got a hand to the ball, he could not stop it bulging into his net.

At three-a-piece the game was not over, and Arsenal thought they had the game won when Arshavin again, for the fourth time in the evening, popped up to score and sneak the Gunners in front when Theo Walcott found a break and both he and Arshavin stormed forward. The former with a cross-field on-the-floor assist, and the latter with the goal that sent the away section into raptures.

Liverpool, though, in a finish befitting the spectacle of the evening, restored parity as Arsenal failed to again clear the ball sufficiently, and Benayoun ensured that the Reds - for the second time in the space of a week - battled out an epic 4-4 draw.

LINE UPS

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt, Riera, Torres.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song Billong, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Bendtner.

Referee:Howard Webb.

Attendance: 44,424

Goalscorers: Arshavin (36), Torres (49), Benayoun (56), Arshavin (67), Arshavin (70), Torres (72), Arshavin (90), Benayoun (92).

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

[Karl]

Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal

Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal




Arshavin slots Aresnal ahead through a crowd of players



By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Anfield


Liverpool returned to the top of Premier League after an Anfield classic against Arsenal - but Andriy Arshavin's remarkable four-goal haul delivered a serious blow to their title ambitions.

Rafael Benitez will no doubt praise Liverpool's spirit and ambition, as he did after a similar scoreline in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge last week, but defensive weaknesses fatally undermined a vibrant attacking display.

Liverpool's point puts them ahead of Manchester United on goal difference, but Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning champions now have a potentially crucial two games in hand.

Arsenal's much-maligned keeper Lukasz Fabianski was Liverpool's tormentor in the first half, but he showed signs of strain after the break as the home side threw caution to the winds backed by a wall of sound from The Kop.

Arshavin provided a lethal spearhead for Arsene Wenger's side, who were under siege for long periods but demonstrated a stunning ability to strike Liverpool on the counter.



The Russian put Arsenal ahead from Cesc Fabregas' cross nine minutes before the interval, but Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, with a brave far post header, struck early in the second half to give Liverpool the advantage.

But as Liverpool tried to capitalise on their supremacy, the lavishly-gifted Arshavin struck twice in the space of three minutes midway through the second half.

He took advantage of Alvaro Arbeloa's hesitation to flash a finish past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and then scored from close range after Fabio Aurelio's poor clearance.

In a tumultuous Anfield atmosphere, Torres scored on the turn to put Liverpool level again before Arsenal swept forward after defending a corner for Arshavin to drive an emphatic finish past Reina from substitute Theo Walcott's pass in the dying seconds.

Benayoun scrambled home during five minutes of frantic stoppage time to give Liverpool hope of a remarkable win, but Arsenal's only remaining alarm was a shout for handball against Abou Diaby that was ignored by referee Howard Webb.

The players left Anfield to a standing ovation - but Liverpool's over-riding emotion will be frustration at failing to turn up the pressure another notch on United.



Torres heads Liverpol level for the first time

This may not have been a game for the coaches or tacticians, but for any lover of football this was an outstanding spectacle, liberally strewn with errors but also with outstanding talent.
Also a game watched by joint Reds owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who were tellingly sat next to each other.

Arsenal may be under-strength and out of the title race, but on this evidence they still have the capacity to emerge as a real wild card as the season reaches its climax, with games against Manchester United and Chelsea still to come.

Arsenal keeper Fabianski had been heavily-criticised for his display in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea at Wembley - but he produced an inspired first 45 minutes to keep Liverpool at bay.

Torres was an early victim of Fabianski's heroics, first blocking a powerful drive and then saving superbly from a rising angled drive as Liverpool pressed for an early advantage.

Arsenal, despite spending most of the early exchanges on the back foot, still posed a threat and a mix-up between Daniel Agger and Reina presented Fabregas with a chance, but he volleyed wide.

Torres was setting the tone for Liverpool's display in the absence of captain Steven Gerrard, and Fabianski was called into action again on the half-hour after the Spanish striker's turn left Kolo Toure trailing in his wake.

And Fabianski's defiance took on greater significance when Arsenal took the lead nine minutes before the interval, courtesy of Arshavin.

Javier Mascherano was caught in possession, allowing Samir Nasri to feed Fabregas - who provided the perfect cross for Arshavin to slam in a powerful finish off the underside of the bar.

Liverpool mounted an instant response, but Fabianski was the barrier once more as he dived to his left to palm away Benayoun's shot from the edge of the area.

It was vital Liverpool struck early after the break - and inevitably it was Torres who provided the priceless equaliser after 49 minutes.
Kuyt was the creator, crossing at the second attempt for Torres to climb and power a downward header that even Fabianski was powerless to stop.

Liverpool were overpowering Arsenal and seven minutes later Benitez's side were ahead thanks to a brave header from Benayoun - a move started when Fabianski played Kieran Gibbs into trouble in the penalty area.

Kuyt gathered possession and found Benayoun at the far post, who threw himself forward ahead of Bacary Sagna to send a looping finish beyond Fabianski, who clawed the ball out but it was comfortably behind the line.

Arsenal were being penned in their own territory almost permanently, and Wenger decided they needed to release the pressure, sending on Walcott to replace Denilson after 65 minutes.

And two minutes later Arsenal were level as Arshavin robbed Arbeloa to send a stunning drive across Reina from 20 yards.

Liverpool were let down by defensive frailties again as Arsenal regained control of what was becoming a classic encounter with 20 minutes left.
Nasri's cross was routine, only for Aurelio to slice his clearance straight to Arshavin, who gratefully slammed a finish beneath the exposed Reina.
Arsenal's lead lasted only two minutes, and once more Torres came to Liverpool's rescue with a turn and finish that Fabianski again touched but could not keep out.

Torres almost claimed a treble of his own with eight minutes left, but Kieran Gibbs was ideally placed on the post to scramble his header off the line.

And then, as Liverpool pressed forward with understandable urgency, they were hit by the sort of sucker punch Arsenal always looked capable of producing as Arshavin grabbed his fourth.

Liverpool were caught from their own corner, as Walcott swept forward to set up Arshavin to hammer his fourth past Reina.

It looked all over for Liverpool, but Benayoun set up the prospect of another final twist in this remarkable tale by scrambling home in a crowded penalty area.


Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt (El Zhar 86), Riera (Babel 74), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Lucas, Ngog, Skrtel.

Goals: Torres 49, Benayoun 56, Torres 72, Benayoun 90.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Denilson (Walcott 65), Nasri, Bendtner (Diaby 90).
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Eduardo, Vela, Ramsey, Eboue.

Booked: Sagna.

Goals: Arshavin 36, 67, 70, 90.

Att: 44,424

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

[Karl]

Arshavin stars in Anfield thriller

Arshavin stars in Anfield thriller

(AFP) Tuesday 21 April 2009


Andrey Arshavin produced a stunning four-goal show to blow a huge hole in Liverpool's title dream as Arsenal secured a 4-4 draw at Anfield on Tuesday. The Russia striker - the first player to score four league goals in a single league match at Anfield since Dennis Westcott for Wolves in 1946 - produced a quality display as Rafa Benitez's side committed defensive suicide to leave Manchester United firm favourites to clinch their third successive domestic title.

Liverpool are level on points with United at the top of the table, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side now have two games in hand over their nearest title rivals, the first of which is on Wednesday when they host Portsmouth. Benitez's men will be kicking themselves for failing to see off Arsenal in one of the most thrilling matches Anfield has witnessed in many a season.

Arshavin sent the visitors into the lead at half-time against the run of play before two goals in six minutes at the start of the second half from Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun put Liverpool in command. But the Russian ace capped a fine display with goals in the 66th and 69th minutes before Torres made it 3-3. Still the drama was not over. After Arshavin had bagged his fourth goal in the final minute, Benayoun levelled in the dying seconds.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal were hampered by injuries to key players. The hosts were once again without captain Steven Gerrard while Arsenal were also handicapped by the absence of Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor, who have scored 33 times between them this term. With Theo Walcott also on the bench, there was a suggestion that the English Premier League was no longer Wenger's priority.

After all, the French boss and his players have a date with another team that play in red in the UEFA Champions League semi-final next Wednesday. Yet it is safe to assume the Arsenal manager will demand a better start from his team at Manchester United next week than they made at Anfield.

Their Champions League ambitions ended for another season a week earlier by Chelsea, Liverpool were entirely focussed on the pursuit of their first title for 19 years. Benitez had demanded six wins from the remaining six games and his players certainly looked up to the challenge as Lukasz Fabianski denied Torres and Albert Riera inside the opening 10 minutes.

Dirk Kuyt was next to capitalise on Arsenal's dithering defence as he teed-up Benayoun only for Fabianksi to rush off his line and snuff out the danger. In front of co-owner Tom Hicks, Liverpool continued to press with Torres looking particularly threatening. Javier Mascherano flashed a 14th minute effort narrowly wide before Arsenal's stand-in keeper produced the save of the half to deny Torres his 15th goal of the season, the Polish stopper using his finger-tips to deflect the ball over the bar.

Goals galore
Liverpool were still in the ascendancy, Torres again frustrated by the magnificent Fabianski from long range before Daniel Agger had a glancing header cleared off the line by Samir Nasri.

Not since Tim Cahill scored back in January has an opposition player found the net in the Premier League at Anfield but that ended in the 36th minute after the usually reliable Mascherano conceded possession. That allowed Nasri to provide a delightful pass for Cesc Fabregas and he cut the ball back for Arshavin to finish off the underside of the bar.

There was a chance for an immediate response after Kuyt played a through-ball to Benayoun as left-back Kieran Gibbs failed to intercept. But the Israeli curled a left-foot shot towards goal only for Fabianski, having the game of his life, to palm the ball round the post. But for all his brave efforts, the Polish keeper found himself fishing the ball out of his net in the 49th minute as Torres powered an unstoppable header in front of the Kop after leaping to connect with Kuyt's cross.

Anfield was in full voice once again. But it was only the beginning of a second half full of twists and turns. Benayoun made it 2-1 when he connected with another inch-perfect cross by Kuyt only for Arshavin to level from 25-yards. The Russian then pounced on an error by Fabio Aurelio to complete a stunning hat-trick before Torres made it 3-3.

Arsenal thought they had won it when Arshavin slotted his fourth in the 90th minute only for Benayoun to have the last say in a match Anfield will not forget in a hurry.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/cl...field+thriller

[Peter R]

Another home field draw! Looks like a coffin nail...but still enough games left to create some drama in the season.

[Paul Marin]

Try: looks like the last coffin nail...no chance if the sh**ters win tomorrow.