The joy of winning the Carling Cup has been tempered by the sobering realization that Champions League soccer may not come to Anfield in the 2012-13 season.
Robin van Persie's double act cements his status as the English game's hottest striker. His goals were his first at Anfield.
LFC was plagued by old and familiar foes. Posts were hit, penalties missed and scoring chances spurned. Despite dominating most of the game, the Reds lost ground in the standings. It was a cruel blow for the home team.
That's all for now and thanks for joining us. Let's discuss this one on Twitter @NESNsoccer and Facebook. Be sure to keep an eye out for some news, fan reactions, analysis and opinion that is on the way on NESN.com.
93rd minute, 2-1 Arsenal: Song and van Persie combine to give Arsenal the winner.
It was a wonderful volley that was a near carbon-copy of the goal he scored against Everton earlier this season.
LFC has five minutes or so to snatch a point from this game.
88th minute, 1-1: This one is increasingly looking like it will end in a deadlock. Both teams are lacking that sharpness and exrta bit of thrust that is needed to grab a second goal.
But Bellamy is on for Downing, and there will be plenty of added time.
81st minute, 1-1: Diaby comes off, and he goes straight into the tunnel. Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces him.
It's a real shame, as the French international has been a non-factor all season due to injury.
74th minute, 1-1: Benayoun is removed with Gervinho taking his place.
The former LFC player receives a warm applause from the Anfield faithful.
73rd minute, 1-1: Reina matches his counterpart at the other end of the field with a top save of his own.
Walcott took a shot that was deflected off of Carragher. Reina was falling to his right, but made a kick-save to keep the score level.
70th minute, 1-1: Kelly has a chance to put LFC ahead, but he spurns Kuyt's cross.
He was right in the goal-mouth, but could not convert the chance. It's not every day that the young defender finds himself in that position.
68th minute, 1-1: At this point in the game we'll begin to see the effect of the midweek international games. Legs and minds are tired from the travel and high-tempo games that took place.
A substitution from either manager could turn the game in his team's favor.
63rd minute, 1-1: Vermaelen is booked for a challenge from behind on Suarez. He's not happy about it either.
56th minute, 1-1: Arsenal might have more completed passes in the first ten minutes of the half than it had in the entire first half.
LFC is pinned back in its own end, but the visitors can't unlock the defense.
53rd minute, 1-1: Diaby comes into the game, and tests Reina from distance.
It's his first appearance since late November.
49th minute, 1-1: Arteta collided with Henderson, and got the worst of the impact. He's down and his day is likely finished.
46th minute, 1-1: Gibbs and Henderson bumped heads to start the second half, and the Arsenal defender was down for a minute or so.
Halftime, 1-1: It was a strange, but pulsating, half of soccer. Liverpool controlled much of the game, but did not translate that advantage onto the scoreline.
It was not for lack of trying. Szczesny made a string of top-class saves. Arsenal scored on its one scoring opportunity. The game can be that way sometimes.
45th minute +1, 1-1: Kuyt hits the post near the close of the first half.
The veteran attacker has been a menace to the Arsenal defense. He's linked well with Suarez and tested Szczesny on a couple of occasions.
40th minute, 1-1: Suarez weaves his way through the Arsenal defense, and hits a toe-poke, but Szczesny palms it away.
It would have been one of the Premier League's goals of the season had it beaten the in-form goalkeeper.
36th minute, 1-1: LFC will rue the post that Suarez hit and the missed penalty. They are two of the main reasons why the Reds are where they are in the league standings.
31st minute, 1-1: Arsenal equalizes against the run of play.
Sagna swings a cross into the area, and van Persie was there to head it in from close range.
25th minute, 1-0 Liverpool: The Reds smell blood and are looking to double their lead.
Henderson's shot was saved well by Szczesny and the rebound fell to Suarez.
The LFC striker had an open net to shoot for, but Koscielny was cutting down the angle. Suarez hit his shot low and hard, but it smacked off the post.
23rd minute, 1-0 Liverpool: There's the gift. Koscielny tries to clear Henderson's cross, but he slices it straight into the net.
Nobody likes "I told you so" types, but read our update from the 10th minute, and forgive us.
19th minute, 0-0: The Polish goalkeeper saves not only Kuyt's penalty, but also the follow-up.
He dove to his right to save the penalty, and the rebound fell back to Kuyt. Kuyt then hit the rebound to Szczesny's left, and somehow the 21-year-old goalkeeper dove to his left and parried it away.
18th minute, 0-0: Szczesny brings Suarez down in the box, and the referee has given a penalty.
Kuyt gave the Uruguayan a deft flick to send him in.
15th minute, 0-0: The pace of the game has gone up a notch.
Downing nearly ran onto a Suarez flick, but Sagna intervened at the last moment.
10th minute, 0-0: Koscielny nearly gifts LFC the opening goal. Reina sent a long ball forward, and the Arsenal defender didn't deal with it.
Suarez nearly picked it up and would have been in a one-on-one situation against the goalkeeper. But Szczesny raced off his line to intercept.
Arsenal's defense is always good for a gift or two. If LFC can capitalize, it can make the difference between Champions League qualification, and Europa League play.
Ninth minute, 0-0: Walcott draws a save from Reina, as he shoots to the far post from an almost impossible angle.
Seventh minute, 0-0: Much of the game has been confined to the midfield areas. Both teams are moving the ball from the back, but when they arrive in the final third a sturdy defense awaits.
Fourth minute, 0-0: LFC has earned a couple of corner kicks early on, but nothing comes of them.
First minute, 0-0: The rain is pouring down at Anfield as the game kicks off. The slick surface should speed up the game.
Pregame: Good morning and good afternoon, all.
As expected, Gerrard's tight hamstring will keep him out of this crunch game. Spearing takes his place in the midfield.
Johnson is replaced by Kelly at right back.
Kuyt's goal in the Carling Cup final earns him a place in the LFC frontline.
Arsenal fields the same starting 11 that beat Tottenham last weekend.
7:00 a.m: Here are the lineups
Liverpool
Pepe Reina (25), goalkeeper
Martin Kelly (34), right back
Martin Skrtel (37), center back
Jamie Carragher (23), center back
Jose Enrique (3), left back
Charlie Adam (26), midfielder
Jordan Henderson (14), midfielder
Jay Spearing (20), midfielder
Stuart Downing (19), midfielder
Luis Suarez (7), forward
Dirk Kuyt (18), forward
Substitutes
Doni (32), goalkeeper
Sebastian Coates (16), defender
Jon Flanagan (38), defender
Jonjo Shelvey (33), midfielder
Maxi (11), forward
Craig Bellamy (39), forward
Andy Carroll (9), striker
Arsenal
Wojciech Szczesny (13), goalkeeper
Bacary Sagna (3), right back
Laurent Koscielny (6), center back
Thomas Vermaelen (5), center back
Kieran Gibbs (28), left back
Alex Song (17), midfielder
Mikel Arteta (8), midfielder
Tomas Rosicky (7), midfielder
Theo Walcott (14), forward
Yossi Benayoun (30), forward
Robin van Persie (10), striker
Substitutes
Lukasz Fabianski (21), goalkeeper
Carl Jenkinson (25), defender
Ignasi Miquel (49), defender
Abou Diaby (2), midfielder
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (15), forward
Gervinho (27), forward
Marouane Chamakh (29), striker
4:00 a.m. ET: With Carling Cup glory secured, Liverpool resumes its chase for a top-four finish on Saturday. The Reds host fourth-placed Arsenal in a pivotal Premier League contest.
The Reds trail the Gunners by seven points in the standings, although they have played one less game. A win could bring them to within striking distance of their rivals, but a loss would deal a major setback to the quest of reaching next season's UEFA Champions League.
Despite it's months-long struggles, Arsenal finds itself in pole position for that coveted fourth spot. Last week's win over Tottenham lifted spirits at the club, and Arsene Wenger's group will look to carry that enthusiasm into Anfield. Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen picked up minor injuries during midweek international play, but the pair should be fit for Saturday.
"They have had huge problems with injuries this season, especially defensively, and all I know is that we are in for a very difficult game," LFC manager Kenny Dalglish said about the Reds' opponents.
Lifting the Carling Cup gave the Reds a platform from which they plan to launch their late-season charge. Dirk Kuyt thinks the trophy serves as evidence of the forward strides LFC has taken this season.
"The team have shown confidence over the last couple of weeks and months. Everyone can see we are progressing in every game we play," he told LiverpoolFC.tv.
Dalglish has a number of injuries that will affect his selection. Glen Johnson and Steve Gerrard picked up injuries while playing for England earlier in the week. They are unlikely to play against Arsenal. Daniel Agger's fractured rib will keep him out of action for the next few weeks. Jamie Carragher should return to the starting lineup.
Join us right here at 7:45 ET for all the action between LFC and Arsenal.
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Photo via LiverpoolFC.tv
