Arshavin hits four in thrilling draw

The hosts went ahead of Manchester United on goal difference having come from behind three times, starting with Arshavin's first in the 36th minute.

Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun scored soon after the interval but three further goals from the Russian Gunner piled the pressure back on Rafael Benitez's side and even a second from Torres and an injury-time equaliser from Benayoun were not enough.

After dominating for large periods of the first half, Liverpool were struck with a sucker punch in the 36th minute. Javier Mascherano lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Cesc Fabregas exchanged passes with Samir Nasri before crossing for Arshavin to fire home off the underside of the crossbar.

Liverpool realistically had 45 minutes to keep their season alive and that realisation brought the equaliser within four minutes of the restart. Alvaro Arbeloa's cross was poorly dealt with by Bacary Sagna and Dirk Kuyt collected the ball, got to the byline and crossed for Torres to head low into the left corner of Lucasz Fabianski's goal.

Seven minutes later they were ahead. Fabianski and Kieren Gibbs both messed up their clearances and Kuyt crossed to the far post where Benayoun headed in. The goalkeeper claimed to have clawed the ball out but it was clearly over the line.

In the 65th minute Arsene Wenger brought on Theo Walcott for Denilson to try to get back in the game but it was another mistake which brought their equaliser. Arbeloa could not control Jamie Carragher's downward defensive header and Arshavin nipped in to fire past Jose Reina's outstretched left hand.

Incredibly for a team which had conceded just eight goals in 16 home league matches a third error handed Arsenal the lead again. Fabio Aurelio played a left-wing cross straight to Arshavin 10 yards out and he drilled a shot under Reina for his hat-trick in the 70th minute.

Amazingly Liverpool were level again two minutes later when Torres controlled Albert Riera's cross, turned Mikael Silvestre and fired past Fabianski.

Substitute Theo Walcott then broke from a corner and played in Arshavin to score his fourth in injury time. Benayoun bundled home an equaliser even later on but it was too late to force a victory.