Arsenal leave it all to do at Anfield

Left with another mountain to climb at Anfield next Tuesday, Arsene Wenger will remind his young team that the need to achieve the improbable often brings the best out of them.

Any side that can beat AC Milan 2-0 in Italy or recover from a two-goal deficit to beat Bolton 3-2 with 10 men has the mental strength to salvage a Champions League quarter-final tie that is now balanced delicately in Liverpool's favour.

The 1-1 draw in a compelling match at Emirates Stadium last night was not the result Wenger wanted to take to Anfield.

Liverpool, fives times winners and among the most experienced European campaigners, defended with typical diligence though Arsenal should have won and probably would have had referee Pieter Vieter awarded them a penalty in the 67th minute when Dirk Kuyt clearly pulled back Alex Hleb.

"It was a blatant penalty," insisted Wenger. "If the referee was in a poor position I could understand why he didn't give it, but he was only five yards away. It's hard to accept."

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said: "I've seen a TV replay of the penalty appeal but it isn't clear."

Wenger's frustration is understandable because he knows his team now face an uphill struggle against Liverpool. He knows, too, that Benitez thrives in the Champions League.

Twice in the last four years Benitez has steered his team past Chelsea in the semi-finals - surviving the first leg at Stamford Bridge each time before clinching victory at Anfield.

A similar fate could now befall Arsenal, who will need to summon all their considerable mental strength to secure a semi-final place.

"Playing in front of our own supporters at Anfield will make a massive difference," said Benitez. "Obviously it's a good situation because it makes it easier for us and more difficult for Arsenal. But I don't think we're favourites, not against a team like Arsenal."

The Gunners have overcome difficulties at Anfield in the past, most notably in 1989 when George Graham's team clinched the League title on a night of epic drama. They had to win 2-0 win to succeed Liverpool as champions - and they did.

A similar effort will be required on Tuesday because the challenge of Europe invariably brings the best out of Liverpool. Of their 11 previous quarter-finals the Merseysiders have won eight.

"It will be a big test for us," said Wenger. "It's a bit of a survival battle but we have the desire to do it." First, of course, the two sides meet again in the Premier League at Emirates on Saturday. Both teams are bound to rest players though the title remains a target for Arsenal.

"I don't think that match will have any influence at all on Tuesday's game," said Benitez.

But Wenger has to decide how many top players he can afford to risk because the Liverpool boss is sure to spare many of his key men now that the title is clearly beyond them.

Both sets of players looked tired at the end of an absorbing match though few could have been as exhausted as Kuyt, who patrolled the right flank with extraordinary energy for the full 90 minutes. Fernando Torres, Liverpool's £25million hitman, dominated the headlines during the build-up period but he was completely overshadowed by Kuyt's outstanding performance.

It was the 27-year-old Dutchman who provided the hammer blow that flattened Arsenal's early enthusiasm and changed the course of the game.

Emmanuel Adebayor's 25th minute header gave Arsenal a deserved lead and the end result might have been different had they been able to hold the advantage until half time. But, within three minutes, Liverpool were level.

Steven Gerrard wriggled past three challenges as he plunged into the Arsenal area. His low cross was met by the onrushing Kuyt who scored from close range.

"Gerrard showed a touch of class when he created that goal" admitted Wenger. "It was a big blow for us to take. We had scored first and were playing well. It unsettled us. It was like a thunderstorm going through our ranks. We lost our nerve and composure a little bit."

It had precisely the opposite effect on Liverpool. They grew in authority and confidence and although they didn't create very much you sensed they had the measure of Arsenal.

"We had all the possession but they sat deep, waited for us and counter attacked," said Wenger. "They defended well all over the pitch."

Arsenal had more and better chances but couldn't finish them. Robin van Persie lifted a volley over the bar before being replaced at half time because of a muscle injury and substitute Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas - who was denied by his own team-mate when substitute Nicklas Bendtner got in the way of his goal-bound shot - also had chances.

"We had the chances to win so to finish 1-1 is really disappointing," said Wenger.

But he will console himself with the thought that his team can go to Anfield, defend in depth and attack on the break - just as Liverpool did last night.