Arshavin Hits Four as Benayoun Earns Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal Draw

Liverpool and Arsenal played out one of the Premier League’s wildest Anfield nights in April 2009, with Yossi Benayoun’s stoppage-time goal rescuing a 4-4 draw after Andrey Arshavin had struck four times for the visitors.

The late leveller arrived at the end of five breathless added minutes, Benayoun forcing the ball in from close range after Liverpool had appeared to be beaten. Referee Howard Webb then waved away a final home appeal for handball against Abou Diaby before bringing an extraordinary contest to an end.

Liverpool had started without captain Steven Gerrard but dominated much of the opening period under Rafael Benitez. Fernando Torres led the pressure, only for Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to answer critics following an FA Cup semi-final loss with key saves from the Spanish striker and Benayoun.

Arsenal struck first nine minutes before half-time when Javier Mascherano lost possession. Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas combined to release Arshavin, whose effort went in off the underside of the crossbar.

The hosts responded quickly after the restart. Dirk Kuyt supplied Torres for a 49th-minute headed equaliser, then picked out Benayoun at the far post as Liverpool moved 2-1 ahead within 11 minutes of the second half.

Arshavin, however, turned the match again. He dispossessed Alvaro Arbeloa before firing a 20-yard shot beyond Pepe Reina in the 67th minute, then punished Fabio Aurelio’s poor clearance to put Arsenal back in front. Torres immediately restored parity with a sharp finish, while Kieran Gibbs later cleared another Liverpool effort off the line to deny the forward a hat-trick.

Arsenal looked to have won it in the 90th minute. Theo Walcott, on as a substitute, raced away from a Liverpool corner and set up Arshavin to complete his remarkable four-goal haul.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Liverpool’s joint owners, watched from the stands as the sides traded defensive errors and attacking quality in front of 44,424 supporters. The final whistle was met with a standing ovation for a match that offered little control but relentless drama.

The point briefly took Liverpool above Manchester United on goal difference in the title race, but the reigning champions had two matches in hand. For Liverpool, the comeback prevented defeat, yet Arshavin’s masterclass left a costly mark on their championship challenge.