Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal: Van The Man Punishes Profligate Reds

Liverpool's familiar problems in front of goal reared their head once more as Robin van Persie struck late to give Arsenal victory at Anfield.

Even during their Carling Cup triumph last weekend, Kenny Dalglish's side displayed their profligacy with a combination of the poor finishing, woodwork, good goalkeeping and penalty misses all on show. Against Arsene Wenger's men, the Reds started where they left off at Wembley, but were this time punished as Gunners captain van Persie netted a double to all but end Liverpool's Champions League qualification hopes.

With the Reds on a high after securing their first trophy in six years last time out, Dalglish was forced into some changes with Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard all missing through injury. In came Jamie Carragher for a rare league start, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly, whilst Wembley hero Dirk Kuyt was preferred to Andy Carroll. The visitors themselves came into the game in high spirits having come from 2-0 down to beat North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. After injury concerns, boss Wenger was able to name talisman van Persie as well as centre-half Thomas Vermaelen.

With the Anfield crowd in celebratory mood after the Carling Cup was paraded prior to kick-off, the home side started on the front foot forcing a number of early corners, from which Martin Kelly headed over after only two minutes. With the Reds seemingly cutting through the Arsenal defence with ease, Stewart Downing should have done better when Gunners' keeper Wojciech Szczesny came rushing out of his box only to head the ball to the England winger, only for Downing to fail to connect properly to his attempted lob.

In a rare Arsenal break, Theo Walcott's first-time shot forced Pepe Reina into a good save low to his right. But it was at the other end where all the action was happening, and on 19 minutes, it looked as if Liverpool's fine start would be rewarded.

Good work between Luis Suarez and Kuyt saw the Uruguayan through on goal. As he rounded keeper Szczesny, Suarez fell to the floor, with referee Mark Halsey immediately pointing to the spot, although TV replays proved inconclusive on whether or not there was contact. Kuyt stepped up to take the kick but his weak effort was saved by Szczesny, with the Polish stopper reacting quickly to also keep out Kuyt's follow-up effort. It was Liverpool's sixth spot-kick miss of the season, eight if you include the two missed in the shoot-out last weekend.

Four minutes later though the home side did take the lead, but as against Brighton in their last home fixture, they needed a helping hand from the opposition. A flowing passing move saw Jordan Henderson free on the right. The midfielder delivered a low teasing cross into the box towards Suarez, which was inadvertently turned into his own net by Laurent Koscielny.

Minutes later it was nearly two. An equally impressive move saw Kuyt play in Henderson, whose low shot was turned away by Szczesny, with Suarez firing the rebound against the post.

Up to that point, Arsenal had struggled to get into the game, but just after the half hour they came alive and inevitably it was through that man van Persie. When right-back Bacary Sagna sent over a fantastic cross, the Dutch forward got in front of his marker to nod past Reina.

Undeterred, the Reds carried on attacking. Suarez brilliantly wriggled past four Arsenal defenders before forcing Szczesny into a fine tip around the post, whilst on the stroke of half-time, a low Adam cross was agonisingly flicked onto the post by Kuyt.

After the break, Liverpool continued to waste chances, with full-back Kelly the main culprit when he failed to connect to Kuyt's cross when faced with an open goal from only six yards out.

The visitors response saw Reina brilliantly keep out Walcott's deflected shot, then thwart the same player when the England forward headed straight at him from six yards.

As the game entered a lengthy stoppage time period due to an injury sustained by Mikael Arteta at the start of the second half, the visitors snatched victory. Alex Song lofted a delightful pass over the Liverpool defence, from which van Persie brilliantly volleyed past Reina, for his 25th league goal of the season and 30th in all.

Liverpool were shell-shocked and despite the introduction of Andy Carroll, could do nothing to prevent their first home defeat of the season. The victory puts Arsenal in pole-position for the 4th Champions League spot, with Liverpool lying 10 points behind the Gunners.

Whilst Arsenal have struggled to find their best form for most of the season, van Persie's constant supply of goals has kept them in touch. Liverpool on the other hand have dominated most games, but failed to score. Whilst the Reds will be happy with their progress so far this term, a goalscorer in the class of van Persie is needed if Dalglish's men are to take the next step.