Goals from Peter Crouch and Nicklas Bendtner left the scores at 1-1, though Rafa Benitez's weakened side had a raft of chances to bag all three points.

The fixture provided the meat in a Champions League sandwich, and with the Reds going into the match with a comfortable lead in fourth, Benitez did what most fans expected by resting many of his stars ahead of Tuesday night's Euro showdown.

Perhaps one surprise among the eight changes was the inclusion of 20-year-old midfielder Damien Plessis.

The French debutant lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation which included Crouch for the first time since the Barnsley defeat 10 games ago.

The striker was the first to threaten for either side, testing Manuel Almunia on four minutes with an audacious hit from 40 yards.

Liverpool were enjoying a bright start, Plessis getting plenty of possession and looking every bit the cultured holding midfielder we've seen for the reserves this season.

Crouch too was seeing his fair share of the ball and used it to good effect on 18 minutes when he found John Arne Riise sprinting into the box. It should have been 1-0 but, with only Almunia to beat, the Norway international blazed over.

Plessis was next to have a crack after the excellent Lucas teed him up on the edge of the box. Not this time, Damien.

Lucas and Crouch then worked a wonderful opening for Yossi Benayoun, but again Liverpool's composure proved an Achilles' heel.

For 30 minutes, groans of frustration echoed round the Emirates until finally the hosts, themselves with five changes from Wednesday night, came to life.

Nicklas Bendtner had a gilt-edged chance to open the scores just after the half-hour mark following some intricate play around the Reds box.

The forward, who saved Liverpool's bacon with an unfortunate goalline block at the wrong end three days ago, should have buried it but instead hit a tame effort straight into the grateful arms of Pepe Reina.

Emmanuel Eboue then surged down the right before spying Cesc Fabregas in the six-yard box. It looked like a certain goal until the recalled Steve Finnan came from nowhere to make an outstanding challenge.

Just as the home fans were ruing their side's wastefulness, Liverpool drew blood.

The goal prompted comparisons with Fernando Torres' strike against Fulham earlier in the season, when Pepe Reina turned provider with a precision kick upfield.

With El Nino on the bench, it was Crouch who took advantage, latching onto a Benayoun touch before turning William Gallas and smashing a low drive right into the bottom corner.

Even by Emirates standards, it was a beautiful goal.

The big fella had a brace of chances within six minutes of the restart, first with a speculative hit, then when Finnan found him with a pinpoint cross.

Both went begging but all the signs were there that Liverpool could get a second.

Perhaps they'd need one. Down at the other end Kolo Toure came within inches of an equaliser with a header from a corner. It turned out to be a warning, for just minutes later Reina's net was breached, again from a set-piece.

It was Bendtner who rose above Crouch et al on 54 minutes before heading beyond the Reds stopper.

Now the Emirates smelt victory. Arsene Wenger signalled his intent by throwing on Emmanuel Adebayor.

Benitez was quick to respond in kind, though the sight of Jermaine Pennant clutching his hamstring no doubt forced the Spaniard's hand in introducing Steven Gerrard.

The skipper nearly drew an error from Almunia with a teasing cross, while Crouch hit a spectacular hooked effort narrowly over the bar.

Substitute Andriy Voronin had his head in his hands after dinking over from close range, this after man of the match Crouch pretty much put the ball on a plate.

The Ukraine international recovered his composure minutes later to round Almunia only to slip at the crucial moment.

At the other end Flamini forced Reina into a low save with 20 minutes left on the clock, while a last-ditch tackle was needed from Jamie Carragher after Bendtner smashed the ball across goal.

With the match looking as if it could go either way, Benitez tried one final roll of the dice. It landed on number nine: Fernando Torres. The Spanish ace had 10 minutes to make the difference.

Within five he was away, bursting down the right with only Gallas to beat. Gerrard busted his lungs to get into the box but Torres' cross went askew.

It wasn't to be. Still, anyone looking at the teamsheet at 12.45pm on Saturday would doubtless have taken a 1-1 draw.

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