LIVERPOOL'S topsy-turvy season took another turn for the worse as a super strike from Andrey Arshavin condemned the Reds to a sixth Premier League defeat of a season to forget.
The Russian striker, who scored all four goals for Arsenal in a 4-4 draw at Anfield last season, was again the thorn in Rafa Benitez's side.
His second-half strike won it for the Gunners after a Glen Johnson own goal had levelled the match following Dirk Kuyt's first-half opener.
Liverpool went into the game on the back of a dismal run of just three wins in 14 games that saw them crash out of the Champions League and all but ended any hopes of a 19th league title coming to Anfield this season.
But with taunts of 'Champions League you're having a laugh' from the Arsenal fans ringing in their ears, the Liverpool players started well.
There was no early goalmouth action to show for the Reds' early sharp play but that all changed on 12 minutes when Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres combined.
Gerrard burst down the right flank before releasing Torres in front of goal and just 12 yards out. The Spaniard looked a certainty to score but hit a weak shot at a relieved Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal goal.
Two minutes later and Liverpool should have had a penalty when Gerrard was felled in the box by a crude challenge from William Gallas that was all man and no ball.
Referee Howard Webb was well placed for the incident but to the amazement of Liverpool players and fans alike, he waved away the angry appeals for a spot kick.
If Liverpool felt hard done by it didn't show in their play and the Reds continued to threaten with a toothless-looking Arsenal only offering the odd threat from a set piece.
On 26 minutes an injury scare threatened to upset Liverpool's rhythm. Battling midfielder Javier Mascherano fell to the floor clutching his leg with the action continuing on the other side of the pitch.
It didn't look good for the little Argentinean who moments earlier had been on the end of a late tackle from Denilson who was booked for the challenge.
Mascherano limped off for treatment but rejoined the action and the Reds continued to push for the opener.
Their effort was finally rewarded four minutes before half time after Gerrard made the most of a Denilson challenge to win a free kick just inside the Arsenal half.
Aurelio delivered a dangerous ball into the area and Almunia, under pressure from Lucas, could only fist clear as far as Kuyt who chested down the botched clearance before prodding home the first goal of the match and his sixth of the season.
It was no more than Liverpool deserved but as the players walked off at half time they must have been ruing their missed chances and lack of luck with the match officials.
Arsenal were quickly out of the traps in the second half and Cesc Fabregas was the first to warm a goalkeeper's gloves but his near-post effort from a tight angle was easily gathered by Pepe Reina.
It proved to be a warning sign of things to come and just five minutes into the second half the Gunners were level.
A searching ball from Fabregas was intended for Arshavin but instead it found the in-rushing Johnson who could do nothing as the ball became tangled in his feet and trickled into the net for a shock equaliser.
The goal silenced Anfield but Liverpool were quickly back on the attack and a jinking run by
Torres down the left took him into the box but the Spaniard ran out of pitch and his shot from an impossible angle was easily smothered by Almunia.
On 58 minutes it was 2-1 and the goal came from nothing. Another ball from the right from Sami Nasri this time found Arshavin on the left side of Liverpool's goal.
With Johnson in place there looked little danger but the Russian smartly turned the England man before firing a superb finish in off the post with Reina rooted to the spot.
The atmosphere inside the ground plummeted with Liverpool staring at a defeat that barely looked possible in the first half.
Benitez tried to inject some urgency into proceedings with the introduction of Alberto Aquilani at the expense of Mascherano on 65 minutes.
The £17million Italian midfielder took to the field with Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, the man he was brought in to replace, watching from the directors' box.
In truth, the former Roma man had little impact as Liverpool huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser they never truly came close to.
Benitez made two further changes, with David Ngog brought on to replace Yossi Benayoun and Philip Degen replacing a downbeat Johnson.
And it was right back Degen who almost had a telling influence when a lucky break saw him released on the right wing.
With Kuyt calling for it in the box, Degen chipped in a centre but his delivery was poor and the ball cleared the Dutchman who roared at his colleague in frustration.
It didn't get any better for Liverpool and even four minutes of injury time couldn't help the shot-shy Reds who ended the match with a whimper rather than a roar.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Johnson (Degen 82), Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano (Aquilani 65), Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun (Ngog 79), Torres. Subs (not used): Cavalieri, Insua, Skrtel, Dossena.
Att: 43,853
brhane bahrshum, Mekelle,Ethiopia around 2 years, 5 months ago