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Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal – Match report

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If ever there was a smash and grab victory in football, Arsenal epitomized it today at Anfield.

Outplayed for the majority of the game, only a moment of sublime quality from Robin Van Persie in stoppage time was the difference between the two teams. The victory now means that Liverpool trail Arsenal by 10 points with a game in hand and have an uphill task to finish in the coveted fourth spot.

Despite there being fears over the fitness of Van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen and Tomas Rosicky all three made Arsene Wenger’s starting line-up, as the Gunners fielded the same team that hammered Spurs.

Liverpool started off on the front foot pinning Arsenal back in their own half with a series of early corners. The movement and trickery of Luis Suarez especially causing the Arsenal centre-backs all kinds of problems.

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On the 17th minute the pressure told as Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Suarez played a delightful one-two with Dirk Kuyt in the Arsenal penalty area. As Wojciech Szczesney came out to narrow the angle the Uruguayan went down under minimal contact from the Arsenal goalkeeper. Referee Mark Halsay, after a little bit of a delay, pointed to the spot. Kuyt stepped up to take the spot kick, Szczesney guessed right and made a good save, but the save from the rebound was world-class. After saving the penalty the rebound fell to Kuyt, who fired it at goal, only to be denied by the Pole, who scrambled across his goal and clawed the ball away.

Liverpool, however, did make the breakthrough five minutes later. A low cross from Jordan Henderson into the Arsenal box was turned in accidentally by Laurent Koscielny. In an attempt to clear the ball, Koscielny swung a left foot at the cross and instead sliced his clearance and the ball crashed into the net.

Arsenal were lucky not be two down moments later. A swift counter attack by Liverpool saw Henderson have a shot at goal which Szczesney did well to save, the rebound fell to Suarez who could only hit the outside of the post.

Against the run of play though Arsenal equalized. Bacary Sagna produced a fantastic cross from the right hand side and Van Persie, who got goal side of Jamie Carragher and had the easy task of heading the ball home passed Pepe Reina.

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