Starting with three strikers upfront, Rafael Benitez gave out a statement of attacking intent to his squad and red men everywhere. Including both Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, both coming back from injury and perhaps not exactly match fit, Benitez then showed he wanted this game badly. His sometimes caution style was seemingly set aside and like the old Kop chant his cry before kick-off must have been Attack, Attack, Attack.

Seven minutes after kick-off and Steven Gerrard opened the score for a dream start. The returning Alonso received a pass fromn Steve Finnan and duly won a free-kick at the very edge of Arsenal’s penalty area. John Arne Riise, rather than hurting the wall or the spectators passed to his captain. The wall moved and through its hole, Gerrard directed his shot which only the net got hurt by.

The press has been waxing lyrically about this current Arsenal side who so far turned the loss of their captain and icon Thierry Henry into their favour. The Southern based and Southern biased media usually blow the virtues and capabilities of their favoured ones out of all proportion, angling their cameras deftly enough to give the illusion of a forest when shooting a garden. I have seen Arsenal every now and then this season. I have been impressed and secretly admired. Today I have to openly admit the lyrical waxing is all well earned. Their passing and interchanging is sublime, everyone comfortable with a ball in his feet, finding each other blindfolded without breaking much sweat. They were chasing the game as early as the seventh minute, panic is not in their vocabulary though, always starting their attacks from the very back with ease. I guess their training does not consist of much running and cardio, probably they play five-a-side games all day.

Arsenal looked like a well trained First Army. Liverpool for their part looked more like a Guerilla. Unconventional, obstinate and feisty. For every ounce of panache and class, Liverpool offered determination, sweat and repulsed admirably. For every Arsenal missile, Liverpool threw hand grenades and had their chances too. Pepe Reina was perfect every time he was called upon, blocking and making the right decisions time and again. He was called for action further than his opposing number but Manuel Almunia hands were stung further. Alonso showed what Liverpool were missing these past six weeks. Operation from the very middle of the pitch, he kept things easy, opening and stretching the Arsenal rearguard when deeming necessary with pinpoint passing. Javier Mascherano complimented him admirably, beasting around the pitch, breaking their momentum as much as possible. Gerrard was Gerrard, the one we like and the one we saw at the start of the season.

Failing to get the second victory at home hurts, and yesterday Liverpool did get agonisingly close. Weighing up everything though, it feels more a case of a point won than two points lost. Against a truly classy side, the reds showed their combativeness and hunger. The short comings were on the other hand shown and the necessary level required for a title winning side was equally laid bare in front of our naked eyes.