The recent two dominators of the domestic game, Manchester United and Chelsea, are experts in holding a lead and would have instantly shut-up shop had they found themselves in Arsenal’s situation. Arsène Wenger’s side had to hold out for just six minutes, but instead of offering a sterling rejection of Liverpool’s forward advances, Kolo Toure failed to track Dutchman Ryan Babel, allowing him to get goal-side and consequently giving away a contentious penalty.

While the tie was a story of two spot-kicks - a blatant one not given to Arsenal a week ago at the Emirates Stadium and a dubious one awarded to Liverpool this - the second leg proved a tale of two substitutions.

For Arsenal, the introduction of Theo Walcott was an inspired Wenger move. His fabulous pace exposed a tiring home defence and, like in Milan in the first knockout phase, he set-up a second Arsenal goal after a scintillating run and a pass of deadly accuracy to Emmanuel Adebayor. It ought to have been a career-defining moment, but Arsenal’s deficiencies at the back have rendered it meaningless.

Rafa Benítez dropped Babel for the attributes of Peter Crouch, a change that seemed vindicated when taking into account Crouch’s excellent goal-scoring record against yesterday evening’s opponents and Babel’s questionable form. Yet Crouch disappointed and after he was replaced with 12 minutes remaining, Babel glowed under the Anfield lights. His pace harassed Arsenal’s defence; a darting run winning the penalty and opportunism at the death bringing him a goal to add some gloss to Liverpool’s triumph.

The manic closing stages, where three goals were scored in less than ten minutes, were an antithesis to a tranquil first period.

Two errors cancelled out the first leg score, committed by players pinpointed as potentially vulnerable beforehand. Jose Reina should have done better with Abou Diaby’s speculative effort but Phillipe Senderos was guilty of a more glaring error when allowing Sami Hyypia to head in an equaliser from afar. Extra time felt likely.

The face of the game changed once more with Fernando Torres’s emergence from the shadows to fire in a stunning Liverpool second in the 69th minute. The astute turn and clinical finish was achieved in one supreme movement, permitting Torres to silence the critics who had lambasted his non-performance at the Emirates last week.

Wenger, however, cut an incredibly frustrated character from the sidelines - his defence had been caught out by a seemingly harmless long ball, and Senderos may again have been at fault with his slack marking of the sizzling Spaniard.

Adebayor’s leveller looked to have ensured a fourth draw between the sides this season - and Arsenal’s progression - but the final minutes of drama turned the tide in Liverpool’s favour as their indelible affection for the Champions League persisted.

With the ability to pull out victory from the jaws of a draw that would have finished their season, it seems Liverpool’s affection for the competition is enough to drive them towards a second success under Benitez and sixth overall. Few are brave enough to bet against them now.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Arbeloa 90), Torres (Riise 87), Crouch (Babel 78).
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Voronin, Benayoun, Lucas.

Goals: Hyypia 30, Torres 69, Gerrard 86 pen, Babel 90.

Arsenal: Almunia, Toure, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott 72), Flamini (Silva 42), Fabregas, Diaby (Van Persie 72), Hleb, Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Song Billong, Bendtner, Justin Hoyte.

Goals: Diaby 13, Adebayor 84.

Att: 41,985

Ref: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden).

Tags: Arsene Wenger, Champions League, Emmanuel Adebayor, Fernando Torres, Rafa Benitez, Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott

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