Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal

A striking hat-trick and a marvellous performance from Peter Crouch left a lethargic Arsenal without answers as Liverpool, eager to reverse the season’s poor record against the Londoners, strolled to a convincing victory.

Liverpool started in style, when the clever cooperation between Arbeloa and Pennant became to much for Diaby and Clichy: Arbeloa crossed into the middle and Crouch was there to meet it, putting his team ahead a mere three minutes into the game. The hosts continued to dominate, forcing their visitors into a reactive mode. Of Arsenal’s slick passing there was little sign and they looked stagnant and lacking in ideas. Fabregas’ attempts to direct the game failed as his team mates seemed reluctant to make any runs. Predictably, Arsenal’s first meaningful attempt was from a corner, which saw Adebayor head the ball over.

Crouch had a few interesting attempts before scoring again, including a bicicleta kick on goal, which was saved by Lehmann and a lovely effort which saw him collect a ball from Pennant and charge towards goal. Had he turned and given it to Gerrard, employed on the day as a second striker, it may even have become a goal. Liverpool’s second came when Crouch expertly headed in a great cross from Aurelio. The England striker made an emphatic display of his scope, creating chances as well as taking them.

A free kick for Liverpool in the second half was elegantly headed in by Agger; similar attempts by Arsenal were saved by Reyna until, at another corner, Gallas managed to push in a ball which Reyna had cleared. The introduction of Rosicky and Ljungberg had fired up the Arsenal midfield, who looked for a while to have regained some fluency. The two substitutes worked hard to breathe life into their team, but to no avail. This was Liverpool’s, and Peter Crouch’s day. With nine minutes to go, Crouch beautifully controlled the ball in a turning move before firing it in with his left foot – a hat-trick reflecting his varied performance: right, left, head. And they say English forwards can't score goals...

Liverpool
Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Pennant, Alonso, Mascherano (Riise 82), Gonzalez (Zenden 69), Gerrard (Kuyt 56), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Fowler.
Booked: Alonso.
Goals: Crouch 4, 35, Agger 60, Crouch 81.

Arsenal
Lehmann, Eboue (Hoyte 82), Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Diaby (Rosicky 65), Denilson, Julio Baptista (Ljungberg 65), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Senderos.
Booked: Diaby, Lehmann, Fabregas.
Goals: Gallas 73.

Attendance: 43,958.
Referee: S Bennett