Liverpool – Arsenal

1. Join us live at 16.05 as Arsenal look for a much needed win to keep pace with league leaders Chelsea.

2. Welcome to Anfield for this afternoon's fascinating encounter between injury-plagued Liverpool, in eighth and the champions Arsenal, who currently lie five points behind top-of-the-table Chelsea.

3. The teams news is that Liverpool have made three changes from the side that lost 1-0 at Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday, bringing in Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Harry Kewell and Xabi Alonso for the injured Luis Garcia and Josemi, while Igor Biscan is dropped to the bench. Meanwhile, Arsenal have kept the same team that drew 1-1 at PSV Eindhoven in Europe on Wednesday.

4. 1'

   Arsenal kick off the match, attacking the Kop end.

5. 1'

   Sinama-Pongolle appears to be playing right midfield, with Kewell on the left, supporting lone striker Neil Mellor.

6. 2'

   Early left-wing corner for Liverpool, to be taken by their skipper Steven Gerrard, who is playing his first Premiership match at home for two months.

7. 3'

   But, it is overhit to the back post looking for Sami Hyypia and it goes out for a goalkick.

8. 4'

   Huge claims for a penalty by the Reds after a marauding run into the box by Gerrard aND a trip by Toure, but referee Alan Wiley waves away the appeals.

9. 5'

   Having seen the replays, the man in the middle appears to have made the wrong decision - a clear trip on the England international.

10. 6'

    Now Arsenal win a free kick after a pull on the shirt of Robert Pires by the retreating John Arne Riise.

11. 7'

    It is to be taken by Thierry Henry from wide on the right, level with the Liverpool penalty area, however it is disappointing and hits the two-man wall and Liverpool clear their lines.

12. 8'

    There is a fantastic atmosphere here at Anfield, with the home fans giving their side great support.

13. 9'

    The Gunners appear to have weathered that early storm and are starting to get the ball down and play it about with confidence.

14. 10'

    Free kick to Liverpool midway inside their own half, but again possession is wasted by the Reds and Arsenal clear their lines.

15. 11'

    Both sides are having great trouble trying to keep hold of the ball for more than a few passes at the moment - a very scrappy period of play.

16. 12'

    And, Patrick Vieira immediately passes straight to Alonso, who tries to catch Lens Jehmann out with an early shot that drifts harmlessly wide.

17. 13'

    Vieira then tries to make up for that error by chipping a through ball to the onrushing Henry, but it is just overhit and Chris Kirkland collects for his first touch of the match.

18. 14'

    A few stray passes in midfield, this time by Cesc Fabregas, are making this a poor contest so far, with neither team on top.

19. 15'

    Long ball by Sol Campbell out of defence drifts out of play for a Liverpool throw-in.

20. 16'

    Steve Finnan breaks up an Arsenal attack and marauds forward into the Gunners half, but his through ball to Mellor does not give the front man a chance and Arsenal clear.

21. 17'

    Now Mellor gives away a free kick on halfway for a tackle from behind on Campbell.

22. 18'

    The crowd are now a little less vocal than they were at the start.

23. 19'

    Free kick to Liverpool in a dangerous position after a foul on Kewell by Vieira, in a central position, 30 yards out.

24. 20'

    But Gerrards effort is deflected off the wall for a left-wing corner, to be taken by Alonso.

25. 21'

    A well-taken set piece by Liverpool is driven to the edge of the box where the onrushing Dietmar Hamann smashes it into a pack of players.

26. 22'

    Liverpool have picked up the pace of play these past five minutes and are starting to dominate proceedings.

27. 23'

    Kewell tries to take on the Arsenal back four, but miscontrols to the obvious groans of the crowd.

28. 24'

    Freddie Ljungberg is tackled late in midfield and has gone down injured, so Finnan sportingly kicks the ball out of play.

29. 25'

    But, immediately the Sweden international jumps to his feet and the Reds are forced to give possession straight back to the visitors, much to the home faithfuls disgust.

30. 26'

    Kewell is really struggling in all facets of his game at this moment of time.

31. 27'

    Liverpool break up an Arsenal attack through Riise, who then slips a great ball through for Mellor, whose shot crashed back off the crossbar, but the linesman's flag is up.

32. 28'

    But, having seen the replays, again Liverpool appear to have been hard done by as Mellor was being played on by Ashley Cole.

33. 29'

    Liverpool pour forward again through Finnan on the right and his deep cross to the back post picks out Kewell, whose header is well saved by Lehmann. Liverpool's best moment of the game so far.

34. 30'

    Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will be more than happy with how his patched-up team are playing in this first half hour.

35. 31'

    Sinama-Pongolle has done well to pressurise Cole into giving away a right-wing corner, again to be taken by Alonso.

36. 32'

    A good chance is wasted by Hyppia, who meets the outswinging corner, but heads over the bar under pressure from the penalty spot.

37. 33'

    Now Arsenal break on a counter-attack from Cole, but with Ljungberg unmarked in the middle, the England left-back's centre is gratefully plucked out of the air by Kirkland.

38. 34'

    Another free kick won by Alonso after a tackle from behind by the backtracking Vieira and Liverpool have a chance to threaten.

39. 35'

    But, not for the first time this afternoon, Alonso's delivery is off beam and it drifts straight out of play for a goal kick.

40. 36'

    Liverpool really must be more clinical with their set pieces if they are to get anything out of this game.

41. 37'

    Still Liverpool come forward, looking to get what would be a vital goal before the half-time.

42. 40'

    GOAL! Liverpool take a deserved lead through Spain international Alonso after great build-up play between Hamann, Finnan, Kewell and Gerrard, whose neat pass gives Alonso the chance to riffle a shot past Lehmann from the edge of the box.

43. 41'

    That strike has sent the Kop into delirium and it is a fully deserved goal on the balance of play.

44. 42'

    Now, with half-time approaching, Liverpool just need to keep it tight for three more minutes plus stoppage time.

45. 43'

    Lauren tries to catch Kirkland with a long-range curler that only just misses the far post.

46. 44'

    The fourth official has indicated that there will be just the one minute of time to be added on at the end of this first half.

47. 45'

    And almost immediately Mr. Wiley blows up to bring to an end what has been a very entertaining first period, which Liverpool lead 1-0 and the champions remarkably have not even had a shot on goal during the first 45 minutes. HALF-TIME.

48. 46'

    Liverpool kick off this second period, leading 1-0 and now attacking their beloved Kop end.

49. 47'

    Liverpool will no doubt be looking just to keep it tight for the first 15 minutes of this second half.

50. 48'

    Pires tries to release Henry down the left flank, only for Finnan to intercept for a throw-in.

51. 49'

    Immediately Arsenal have looked more threatening in the opening minutes of the second half than the were throughout the whole of the first period.

52. 50'

    Gerard Houllier is here at Anfield this afternoon working for French TV and will no doubt be impressed with what he is seeing at present.

53. 51'

    Liverpool have won back possession through Gerrard, who did brilliantly to put pressure on Toure and win a throw-in, level with the Gunners' penalty box.

54. 52'

    The Reds have begun this second period like they finished the first, on top.

55. 53'

    Surely the visitors will test Kirkland in this second half.

56. 54'

    Riise has won his side a left-wing corner off Lunjberg, to be taken by skipper Gerrard.

57. 55'

    But it is a disappointing one, again floated to the edge of the area, but easily intercepted by Toure.

58. 56'

    Liverpool are really playing a highly-effective pressing game in the opening exchanges of this second period.

59. 57'

    GOAL! Arsenal equalise with their first shot on goal of the match, but what a goal, a real team effort involving Hentry and Pires, whose through ball finds Vieira and the captain executes a perfect, chipped finnish over Kirkland.

60. 58'

    Liverpool, and their fans, are stunned by that strike.

61. 59'

    And now it is the champions who are pushing forward and looking for a second.

62. 60'

    Yellow card for Vieira, who consequently will miss the crucial league game with Chelsea in a fortnight's time.

63. 61'

    Liverpool break forward through Gerrard, who finds Mellor running clear down the left channel, and his pull-back is then hit over the bar by Alonso.

64. 62'

    Arsenal look far more dangerous in this second half and are now going for the win.

65. 63'

    Sinama-Pongolle has gone down injured and is really struggling for the Reds.

66. 64'

    Gerrard charges down Toure's attempted clearance and is almost clean through on goal, but the Ivory Coast international does well to make up for his orginal mistake and wins back possession.

67. 65'

    First change of the match is to be made by Arsenal, who replace Jose Antonio Reyes, who is replaced by Robin Van Persie.

68. 66'

    It is all Arsenal at the moment and they are just toying with the home side and playing so much better than in the first half.

69. 67'

    But, having played about 15 passes, Henry carelessly chips the ball straight into the hands of Kirkland.

70. 68'

    Liverpool are about to make a change themselves, with Antonio Nunez set to make his debut for the club, replacing the hobbling Sinama-Pongolle.

71. 69'

    Mellor has done well to win his side a pressure-relieving free kick.

72. 70'

    Vieira is very lucky to still be on the pitch, as after winning his side back possession, he blatantly takes a dive, which the referee sees, but decides not to take any action.

73. 71'

    A great, curling centre from Gerrard tests the defensive capabilities of Toure to the full, but the defender does well to intercept with Mellor lurking right behind.

74. 72'

    Now Gerrard goes on a mazy run into the Arsenal box, twisting and turning his way past three men, but his cross is blocked by Vieira for a corner.

75. 73'

    Gerrard, from the left, plays a short corner with Kewell, but it comes to nothing and Arsenal clear their lines.

76. 74'

    The game is now end to end, with both sides looking for the three points.

77. 75'

    Arsenal are looking remarkably fit considering they had a day less to recover than Liverpool and had to play with nine men against PSV on Wednesday.

78. 76'

    Liverpool almost retake the lead through their inspirational skipper Gerrard after good closing down by first Mellor and then Nunez, but when the ball breaks to the England man, Lehmann does well to parry his rasping drive from the edge of the box.

79. 77'

    One gets the feeling that there is still another goal left is this match.

80. 78'

    Kewell has a chance to put in a dangerous left-wing centre, but not for the first time this afternoon, his delivery is poor and Lehmann claims.

81. 79'

    Henry attempts an outrageous shot from the halfway line with Kirkland off his line and it floats only just off target.

82. 80'

    Henry loses possession close to the Liverpool box to Alonso and in his disappointment, he rashly tackles the Spain international and is booked for his troubles.

83. 81'

    Just a few free kicks are disrupting the flow of the match at the moment, as van Persie brings down Alonso on halfway.

84. 82'

    Arsenal almost score a second brilliant team goal through Henry after a swift exchange of passes between Pires and van Persie, but the ball just wont't sit down for the Frenchman and Hyppia clears the ball.

85. 83'

    Amazingly, Vieira has never won at Anfield during his time in England, and it looks like that record will be extended today.

86. 84'

    And equally amazing is the stat that Liverpool have not got one over on the Gunners since the 2001 FA Cup final.

87. 85'

    This match now looks like ending in a draw with five minutes to go plus injury time.

88. 86'

    Hamann breaks up an Arsenal attack and tries to go himself through the Arsenal midfield, but the visitors win back the ball and start another break, only for van Persie to overhit his through ball to Henry.

89. 87'

    Arsenal break upfield, but Hamann does well to backtrack and win the ball from the ever-dangerous Henry and clear his lines.

90. 88'

    With two minutes to go, all eyes are on the fourth official and how much time there will be added on at the end of this second period.

91. 89'

    The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of time to be added on at the end of the game.

92. 90'

    It is hard to pick out a man of the match this afternoon, but Gerrard has had a storming game, covering almost every blade of grass throughout this match.

93. 91'

    Liverpool will probably be the more disappointed of the two teams not have won, but with their injury problems, a draw is not the worst result in the world.

94. 92'

    GOAL! Liverpool have won the match with the last kick of the game and it is a sensational, long-range effort from much-malingned front man Mellor, who has sent a half-volley crashing into the far corner of Lehmann's net from fully 35 yards out, quite incredible.

95. 92'

    And the referee immediately blows up for full time with Arsenal not even having time to hit back. A great result for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool, but for Arsenal, they now trail league leaders Chelsea by five points. FULL TIME.

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