There was little to choose between the sides on the night, but the Reds crashed out after Rosicky's double gave Arsenal an unassailable lead and then Henry's strike stopped a brilliant Liverpool fight back that had seen Dirk Kuyt score and make it 2-1.

The game got underway amidst a moving tribute and call for 'the truth' for the 96 Liverpool fans that died at Hillsborough in 1989. And so powerful was it that the game didn't seem to start properly until the sixth minute had been reached and the mosaic had come down.

In fact we'd seen eleven minutes elapse before the first real attempt on goal was made by Steven Gerrard's long range shot that went harmlessly wide. This was first of two meetings between the sides in just four days so perhaps it was of no surprise that both appeared to take time to size each other up.

It was Liverpool though who were showing the greater attacking intent and they will feel unlucky not to have been awarded a 24th minute penalty when Gilberto appeared to bring down Xabi Alonso in the area. The fact that referee Steve Bennett booked Alonso for diving will only have compounded their disappointment.

Arsenal showed that they would be a danger on the break when it took a good block from Riise to stop Hleb's goalbound effort in 28th minute. But Liverpool still remained in control and Crouch's smart control and instant shot flashed just yards over Almunia's crossbar.

The Reds were looking comfortable, but they were rocked in the 37th minute when Arsenal broke away and took the lead with a goal from Tomas Rosicky. There seemed little danger as Hleb rolled the ball into the Czech midfielder, but he beat Dudek with a superb dipping shot from 18 yards.

It was a goal somewhat against the run of play, but it was to get far worse for the Reds because Rosicky struck again in the 45th minute to double Arsenal's advantage. And like the first goal, it was another fine strike from Rosicky to beat Dudek from the edge of the penalty area.

Liverpool had it all to do and as you'd expect, Arsenal didn't make it easy for them. The second half saw Liverpool launch attack after attack, but Arsenal sat deep and made it difficult. And with the pace of Henry and Van Persie in attack, they were always capable of exposing the gaps that Liverpool left.

It took a great tackle from Carragher on Van Persie to stop them doing just that in 63rd minute, but the Reds got themselves deservedly back into the game when Dirk Kuyt latched onto Crouch's header to score and reduce the deficit in the 71st minute.

It was cue for a Liverpool onslaught and they came desperately close to turning it around when Aurelio's far post volley flashed narrowly wide with Almunia beaten. Liverpool deserved an equalizer, but instead they saw all their hard work undone when Henry restored his side's two goal advantage in the 84th minute.

The Reds must now look towards Tuesday's rematch in the Carling Cup to redress the balance with the Gunners.