8.4.08  CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q/FINAL LEG 2
Liverpool vs Arsenal 4-2 (BBC)


Liverpool set up a Champions League semi-final with Chelsea after a stunning late win over Arsenal.

Abou Diaby put Arsenal into an early lead but Sami Hyypia lost Phillipe Senderos to head an equaliser.

Fernando Torres looked to have settled the tie when he turned and drilled into the top corner, only for Emmanuel Adebayor to level.

But Kolo Toure fouled Ryan Babel and Gerrard held his nerve from the spot, before Babel broke to add a fourth.

It was an extraordinary end to yet another wonderful European tie at Anfield.

The two sides, who have faced each other three times in six days, saved their best for last in a game that was full of drama from start to finish.

Both teams played as if their season was on the line and it led to a pulsating cup tie.

Arsenal looked like they had a new lease of life from the side that started their game at the weekend.

It was little surprise when they went in front through Diaby, who was making his return to the side.

He burst into the box to get on the end of Hleb's pass and drove a low shot that Reina could only help into the net.

The goal seemed to energise Arsenal further and it was Liverpool who were beginning to look jaded.

But the Gunners were made to pay after half an hour when Senderos was caught flat footed and Hyypia had the freedom of the Anfield penalty box to head past Cesc Fabregas and in off the post.

It was Liverpool's turn to have the upper hand and they went ahead with a superb strike from Torres.

Rafa Benitez's decision to partner Peter Crouch with Torres had looked like a tactical blunder at the start, but it was a pairing that combined for their second goal.

Crouch's flick on was latched onto Torres, who turned and shot in an instant to send the Kop into delirium.

Adebayor was just off target from Emmanuel Eboue's cross but Arsenal looked dead on the ropes.

However, Theo Walcott's introduction revitalised their hopes and he ran from inside his own half and into Liverpool's box before squaring for Adebayor to tap in.

But straight away Liverpool went down the other end and Babel was adjudged to have been brought down by Toure.

Gerrard made no mistake from the spot, firing into the top corner with five minutes left on the clock.

An Arsenal goal at that stage would have been enough to send them through on away goals but as they threw men forward Babel raced clear to slot home a fourth - and perhaps ease the pain of a contentious penalty decision.

It was a cruel exit for Arsenal but there was no denying it was Liverpool's night.

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Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Arbeloa 90), Torres (Riise 87), Crouch (Babel 78).

Subs Not Used: Itandje, Voronin, Benayoun, Lucas.
Goals: Hyypia 30, Torres 69, Gerrard 86 pen, Babel 90.

Arsenal: Almunia, Toure, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott 72), Flamini (Silva 42), Fabregas, Diaby (Van Persie 72), Hleb, Adebayor.

Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Song Billong, Bendtner, Justin Hoyte.
Booked: Senderos, Toure.
Goals: Diaby 13, Adebayor 84.

Att: 41,985
Ref: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden).