Liverpool stun by Arsenal injury-time goal

Posted on March 4, 2012 by SoccerPunter

Robin van Persie struck an injury-time winner as Arsenal dealt Liverpool‘s hopes of Champions League qualification a shattering blow with a 2-1 victory at Anfield on Saturday.

Dutch international van Persie volleyed home magnificently in the third minute of stoppage time to claim his second of the match and take his season’s tally to 31 in all competitions.

Van Persie’s last-gasp winner saw Arsene Wenger‘s side cement their grip on Premier League fourth place, and moved the Londoners to within four points of third placed Tottenham who play Manchester United on Sunday. But the defeat has left Liverpool with a mountain to climb if they are to secure a return to Europe’s elite next season, with 10 points now separating them from Arsenal in fourth.

The defeat was cruel on the Merseysiders, who had dominated throughout only to be denied by a string of superb saves from Wojciech Sczesny and the woodwork.

Polish international Szczesny had needed to be alert from the outset, reacting swiftly in the 10th minute to snuff out a break from Luis Suarez before dealing with a follow-up from Stewart Downing.

Szczesny then pulled off a superb double save as Liverpool missed their sixth penalty of the campaign after the Arsenal keeper was adjudged to have brought down Suarez following a neat one-two with Dirk Kuyt.

Kuyt’s spot-kick was firm but Szczesny guessed correctly, diving to his right to block before springing back across goal to deny Kuyt’s attempted rebound.

It was only a temporary reprieve however as Liverpool took the lead on 23 minutes, Koscielny turning Jordan Henderson’s whipped low cross into his own net past Szczesny.

Two minutes later and Liverpool were threatening again, Suarez’s shot denied by the foot of the post.

But Arsenal were back on level terms in the 31st minute with their first genuine effort of the game.

Bacary Sagna sent in a superb deep cross from wide on the right and Van Persie held off the attentions of Jamie Carragher to head past Reina.

Liverpool continued to look the likeliest to score however and Suarez drew another fine save from Szczesny on 40 minutes after weaving his way through the Arsenal defence.

Liverpool struggled to carve out as many clear chances after the break but the Reds did squander a golden chance to go 2-1 ahead on 70 minutes.

Kuyt crossed from the right to find an unmarked Martin Kelly only for the defender to miskick from point-blank range with the goalmouth gaping.

A draw seemed the likeliest result but deep into injury time – provoked by a second-half injury to Mikel Arteta – Alex Song chipped into the Liverpool area and van Persie volleyed home on the full to clinch a dramatic win.