 Goals
Kewell 14
Hyypia 31 og
Pires 68.
Match
Report
It took Arsenal a long time to quell the Liverpool fire, but when
they did they purred to victory and stamped their quality and class
all over this Anfield showdown.
Harry Kewell put Liverpool ahead in a first half they dominated,
and only an unfortunate Sami Hyypia own goal gave the worried Gunners
parity at the break.
But Liverpool were treated to a master class in the second period,
lost Michael Owen with a leg injury and then saw Robert Pires crown
Arsenal's day with a brilliant curling winner.
Both managers produced surprises in their team selections. Gerard
Houllier relegated Emile Heskey to the bench and opted for another
midfielder in Salif Diao, while Chris Kirkland returned to the bench
after a groin injury.
Arsene Wenger gave French youngster Jeremie Aliadiere his full
debut, while Sol Campbell returned to defence following a spell
out because of the death of his father.
Liverpool's one change meant Steven Gerrard had a more forward
midfield role, while Harry Kewell was playing off Michael Owen in
a central position.
And the Merseysiders produced an impressive display for the first
half hour and should have been further ahead before the Gunners
struck with a fortunate own goal.
Jens Lehmann was tested twice early on, by Owen and Steve Finnan
from long range as Liverpool got to grips with the league leaders
from the start.
Liverpool's pace, width and enterprise had given them the upper
hand and on 14 minutes they grabbed the lead.
John Arne Riise's cross from the left was hammered into Owen's
face from close range by Edu and cannoned invitingly for Kewell
to strike from 18 yards into the far bottom corner.
Arsenal were struggling to get a foothold on the game at this point
and almost conceded a second to Kewell when Finnan's cross was nodded
down by Riise, but the Australian hooked high over from 12 yards.
Jerzy Dudek was forced into a diving save to turn round a Thierry
Henry drive, while Liverpool were still fuming by a tackle from
behind by Aliadiere on Diao that referee Graham Barber failed to
penalise.
Kewell's pass then found Owen 20 yards out and his attempted lob
over Lehmann finished on the roof off the net, before Gerrard whipped
in a free-kick and Owen lunged forward to send a near-post header
wide.
Arsenal's response came when Smicer fouled Ray Parlour on the right,
Robert Pires curled the free-kick into the box and Edu emerged from
a mass of players to make contact. But the effort was going wide
until it bounced in off Sami Hyypia.
It was tough on Liverpool, and more misfortune struck three minutes
from the break when Smicer limped off to be replaced by Anthony
Le Tallec.
Liverpool's response was to bounce back with more attacking play,
Diouf and Finnan combining to give Owen a chance that he headed
just over three minutes after the break.
Diouf's continued attacks down Ashley Cole's flank severely tested
the England full-back, while Kewell's ability to keep finding space
was a constant worry for Campbell and Kolo Toure.
Henry's influence was growing, and on 59 minutes be worked his
way across the box to force Dudek into a low save to his right.
Owen had to be taken off for treatment on his right leg after landing
awkwardly, and there was considerable concern for him as 10-man
Liverpool were clearly distracted by the incident.
Owen returned, but still limping, Arsenal by now having gained
the initiative.
And the Gunners struck with a classic goal on 68 minutes. Gerrard
and Finnan both conceded possession 20 yards out and Edu was able
to find Pires, the Frenchman curling a stunning shot into the far
top corner to claim the lead.
Owen was eventually withdrawn on 71 minutes, Heskey taking over,
while Arsenal replaced Aliadiere with Sylvain Wiltord.
Liverpool kept going despite Arsenal's dominance, and Cole had
to hook off the line from Diouf on 77 minutes. Then Heskey broke
down right and fired in a cross that Edu scooped away from Kewell.
Le Tallec curled a shot just wide before youngster John Welsh came
on for his Premiership debut in place of Diao. Welsh's first act
was to be booked for a foul on Parlour.
Press Association
Teams
Liverpool Dudek, Finnan, Biscan, Hyypia, Riise,
Diouf, Gerrard, Diao (Welsh 83), Kewell, Owen (Heskey 72), Smicer
(Le Tallec 42).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Henchoz.
Booked: Biscan, Welsh.
Arsenal Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole,
Parlour, Edu, Silva, Pires, Henry, Aliadiere (Wiltord 73).
Subs Not Used: Stack, Keown, Cygan, Kanu.
Booked: Cole, Parlour.
Att: 44,374
Ref: G Barber (Hertfordshire).
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 Liverpool's
Gerard
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