Liverpool Hit for Six

It is a tribute to the Anfield faithful that when they weren’t attempting, as is their custom, to referee the game, they continued to sing and chant as Arsenal’s young team annihilated their side, in a defeat so emphatic it was the first time in almost 80 years that a visiting team had scored six goals there.

Fortunately for them it wasn’t seven, because the much maligned Jerzy Dudek saved a 56th minute penalty from the Gunners’ four goal hero, Brazilian Julio Baptista.

They cheered a cheeky little flick from Robbie Fowler to equalise Jeremie Aliadiere’s opener and for a moment there was hope, but it was short lived as two goals from Baptista (the first a glorious free kick) and one from Song sent Arsenal into the dressing room at half time with a 4-1 lead. And even a wonderful second half volley from Stevie Gerrard and a Hyypia header could not stop Arsenal, as Aliadiere set up Baptista for two more goals that put the stamp of humiliation on Liverpool’s evening.

And at the end of it all, as they drifted away, the Liverpool fans were left to reflect upon the loss though serious injury of Gonzalez and Garcia, the extent to which Arsenal’s youngsters had outplayed their side and the enigma that is Raffa Benitez. What should they think of a manager who, after his side is emphatically beaten on Saturday in the F.A. Cup, makes wholesale changes and selects a much less experienced team against the same club, knowing that their manager was fielding a side composed largely of youngsters? And what should they think of a manager who, when his side have cut the deficit to 5-3, puts on Jamie Carragher and leaves Peter Crouch scratching his head on the sidelines?