Peter Crouch got his first Liverpool hat-trick today and Liverpool jumped past Arsenal to go third in the Premiership.Crouch put in an Alvaro Arbeloa cross after four minutes then headed in from a Fabio Aurelio delivery in the 34th minute.
Agger glanced in another Aurelio cross on the hour before Gallas got one from almost on the line for Arsenal.
Crouch then made his hat-trick after 80 minutes.
Crouch was the main man in a first 45 minutes that saw Liverpool cruise into the lead. He made the perfect finish at the near post to a great Liverpool build-up in the fourth minute, after Jermaine Pennant's neat flick had set up Arbeloa for the cross.
Arsenal seemed lethargic, but Adebayor headed just over. Crouch was rampant and made an ambitious shot across goal after 26 minutes.
Baptista should have drawn Arsenal level but he side-footed tamely wide.
Liverpool then doubled their advantage 11 minutes before half-time.
Xabi Alonso made a quick free-kick to find Aurelio then Crouch leapt to meet a cross and a brilliant header went high past diving Jens Lehmann.
After 53 minutes Arsenals Adebayor's low left-foot shot rebounded to safety off the post.
Liverpool captain Gerrard went off two minutes later for an ice-pack to a thigh injury. The hope for Benitez and fans is that he will recover for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against PSV Eindhoven.
Just on the hour a free-kick from Aurelio was glanced past Lehmann by Agger.
Adebayor kept battling, but after 63 minutes his header was turned by Liverpool keeper Reina.
Arsenal pulled a goal back with 18 minutes left.
Any hopes of a Gunners comeback were snuffed out after 80 minutes when Crouch turned Toure expertly before firing past Lehmann.
Crouch said :
"It was pleasing for us to get four goals and beat a class side. The manager let us know beforehand we've had some disappointing results against Arsenal this season. You don't care how they come but it was a nice hat-trick, I'm pleased with it. It is a special moment."
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Pennant, Alonso, Mascherano (Riise 82), Gonzalez (Zenden 69), Gerrard (Kuyt 56), Crouch.Subs Not Used: Dudek, Fowler.
Booked: Alonso.
Goals: Crouch 4, 35, Agger 60, Crouch 81.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue (Hoyte 82), Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Diaby (Rosicky 65), Denilson, Julio Baptista (Ljungberg 65), Adebayor.Subs Not Used: Almunia, Senderos.
Booked: Diaby, Lehmann, Fabregas.
Goals: Gallas 73.
Att: 43,958.
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