Arsenal re-enter title race with 2-1 Anfield comeback

Andrey Arshavin continued his Anfield scoring spree as Arsenal came from behind to cast Liverpool's top-four hopes into serious doubt.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez had insisted the season started again today after the midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to Fiorentina.

And the hosts approached the game with vigour and took a first-half lead into the break when Dirk Kuyt pounced on an unconvincing palm by Manuel Almunia after Steven Gerrard was denied a penalty from William Gallas' clumsy challenge.

But Benitez's side surrendered yet another lead when first Glen Johnson put the ball into his own net before Arshavin, who scored four goals in the corresponding fixture last term, smashed in the winner on 58 minutes to send the Gunners third.

Reds legend Bill Shankly's first official day behind the manager's desk at Liverpool was 50 years ago this Monday, and Benitez will sit uncomfortably in that same office after this as his team slumped to their sixth league defeat of the season.

Liverpool made six changes from the side dumped out of the Champions League in midweek, with Fernando Torres back in the starting line-up for the first time since early November. Fabio Aurelio was brought in at left-back against the pace of Theo Walcott.

Arsenal were unrecognisable from the side that lost to Olympiakos in Greece, only Walcott being retained by manager Arsene Wenger.

With Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs all dropping points 24 hours earlier, both sides were desperate to take advantage.

Manager Wenger admitted he had been angry by his side's first-half display but refused to divulge details of what had been said.

"I don't like to talk about that," he said. "I'll keep that in the dressing room."

The Frenchman added: "They knew it was absolutely needed to win this game and when you lose the 50-50s in big games you don't win.

"It was just to make them conscious the commitment of Liverpool was bigger.

"I think the first half we were quite happy with 1-0 - it could have been two and the game could have been over.

"I don't put it down to a lack of desire - there was a fear to lose a big game. You could see that in the first half.

"It showed the team can respond and they are proud."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes his side's confidence disappeared after Arsenal's second goal but he pledged to keep going.

He said: "The own goal changed everything, the confidence changed and we started to make mistakes.

"The first half was really good and we were very pleased.

"The second changed and they were playing with more confidence and we played with less.

"We conceded too early and the second goal came too soon after.

"We will keep going. We have another important game on Wednesday, we have some players coming back.

"Top four is the same target, it's a long way but we need to keep going."