Liverpool will have to win the Champions League and hope for a change of heart from UEFA if they are to play in the competition again next season after a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal today makes a 4th place Premiership finish impossible.
The Reds produced a brave and spirited second half fightback, but it wasn't enough to repair the damage done by first half goals from Pires and Reyes. And they must now look to the Champions League Final in Istanbul on May 2th to finish the season on a high.
We knew before this game that victory would mean a lot to both sides and it showed in a frantic first half that saw two disallowed goals and countless near misses before Arsenal gained the advantage.
It was Liverpool who started the game the better and Milan Baros would have had a clear run on goal had he been able to control. But the Reds were soon on the back foot and were grateful to see Jose Reyes' 11th minute 'goal' ruled out for offside.
Liverpool had a disallowed goal of their own soon after when Milan Baros scored only to see it cancelled out because of handball. And as the game swung from end to end, Fabregas was just wide with a superb long range strike.
The home side took the lead after 25 minutes through a Robert Pires free kick and they extended their lead three minutes later when Reyes shot through the legs of Dudek.
It was slightly harsh on the Reds after they had matched the former Champions in opening exchanges, but they were then forced to hang on for half time as Arsenal's confidence grew.
Harry Kewell and Djibril Cisse were introduced at the start of the second half and the Reds came out as if having received a roasting from Rafa and they were given hope by Steven Gerrard's deflected goal after 51 minutes.
Now it was Liverpool's turn to grow in confidence and they went on to produce a brilliant second half display that almost brought a drematic revival.
But chance after chance was missed and while they'll leave Highbury with plenty of credit, their poor record away from home in the Premiership continued.
They were perhaps unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Lauren appeared to foul Kewell and Luis Garcia came close more than once.To rub salt in our wounds, Fabregas scored an undeserved 3rd for Arsenal in injury time, but by then it didn't matter.
And although the race for 4th may be over, Liverpool look in great shape as they now turn their attention to their 6th European Champions Cup Final.
Tagged: arsenal
