Liverpool v Arsenal preview
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har.4-1 defeat.terrible lah Arsenal. the only ones that were trying hard just now was ade,toure and gallas. the rest were shit
when is this season going to endddd? -
batista-adebayor combination is definitely not working so wenger better dun play the same next match... for tis match expected them to lose...
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Reds exact Gunners revenge
Peter Crouch bagged an impressive hat-trick as Liverpool exacted revenge on Arsenal with a fine 4-1 success over The Gunners at Anfield.
Rafa Benitez's charges were on the front foot from the off with Crouch's well-taken double no more than the home side deserved for their first half endeavours.
Daniel Agger added to Liverpool's lead after half time and while William Gallas pulled one back late on there was still time for Crouch to complete his hat-trick from close range.
The win, which lifts Liverpool ahead of Arsenal into third in the Premiership, was sweet revenge for the club's fans who had seen their side lose three times to The Gunners this season.
Liverpool started the contest positively although Steven Gerrard's speculative long-range shot inside the first minute was well wide of Jens Lehmann's goal.
However, the effort set the tone and The Reds forged ahead in the fourth minute when Alvaro Arbeloa played a neat one-two with Jermaine Pennant before crossing for Crouch to net.
Crouch made a superb run to the near post to guide home a first-time shot past the helpless Lehmann for a crucial early lead at Anfield.
Arsenal, to their credit, responded positively, but despite controlling possession they never gave Jose Reina anything to worry about in Liverpool's goal.
Emmanuel Adebayor headed over the visitors' first attempt on goal while Crouch's flick was easy for Lehmann after Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick.
Gallas nearly fired into his own net after sliding at full stretch to block Mark Gonzalez's cross with Crouch ready to pounce behind the French defender.
Arsenal's best chance of the half arrived just after the half hour mark when Adebayor fed Baptista only for the on-loan Brazilian to scuff his effort well wide of Reina's goal.
The miss proved costly as minutes later Fabio Aurelio's cross from the left was superbly headed home by Crouch in the middle for his eighth league goal of the season.
A quickly-taken free-kick left Aurelio in acres of space and he played in a pin-point ball for Crouch, who out-jumped Diaby, to guide home from six-yards to give the home side a commanding half-time lead.
Gerrard had the first attempt of the second half with a first-time left-footed effort from Gonzalez's cross, although his shot was straight at the scrambling Lehmann.
Arsenal nearly got back into the game seconds later when Adebayor's neat turn and shot beat Reina, but the low drive struck the inside of the post and rebounded to safety.
The contest was effectively over on the hour mark when Aurelio's dangerous free-kick was guided into the far post by Agger to give Liverpool an unassailable lead.
Arsenal would have pulled a goal back within minutes, but for Reina's superb finger-tip save. Adebayor's header from Baptista's cross looked destined for the net before the Spaniard palmed the shot onto the post.
The visitors did eventually find the back of the net on 73 minutes when Gallas was well-placed at the far post to tap home after Kolo Toure helped on Cesc Fabregas' corner.
Liverpool then weathered a few nervy moments before Crouch capped a fine individual display by completing his hat-trick on 81 minutes.
The England international turned smartly in the area before smashing home with his left-foot leaving Lehmann no chance of a save.
Liverpool nearly added a fifth with only an outstretched hand from Lehmann keeping out Aurelio's drilled effort that looked destined to nestle in the far post. -
Arsenal has to move on. I can tell they were still feeling discourage after the three cups competition exit. They have still tough matches ahead,examples, Chelski and BOlton.
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i dun think its just due to those factors, too many problems came one after the other, from lost of senior players due to leaving or retiring to the lack of transfer fund to Henry's indifferent form to even moving to new stadium etc, i think too many problems for those youngster to handle.. Arsenal might have good and young talents but you'll still someone with lots of experiences for them to looked upon and currently i don't see anyone able to hold that roleOriginally posted by felirox:Arsenal has to move on. I can tell they were still feeling discourage after the three cups competition exit. They have still tough matches ahead,examples, Chelski and BOlton. -
Liverpool rocks =)
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liverpool look more likely to finish third.
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At this point, I'd take Jose Antonio Reyes back and shove him up as a left/ wingforward.
