Match report: Arsenal 2 - Liverpool 1

Steven Gerrard, the architect of the crucial move - Thierry Henry the finisher. It may read like a Roman Abramovich transfer fantasy, but instead it was the decisive moment in an extraordinary match that handed Arsenal the initiative once more in the race for the fourth Champions League place. And it was a twist in the season that Liverpool's inspirational captain will want to forget. Steven Gerrard, so often the hero for the Anfield side, assumed the unaccustomed role of villain after his inexplicable backpass gifted Thierry Henry the winning goal six minutes from time. It was a moment that replicated his mistake in England's Euro 2004 first-round defeat to France in all but the conclusion. But blaming Gerrard for this second successive defeat would be to conveniently ignore the fault lines that run through a Liverpool team that is in danger of ending a campaign that promised so much with precious little.

Jens Lehmann, the hero of Highbury against Real Madrid on Wednesday, was at fault for Luis Garcia’s's equaliser. What was not in question was the supremacy of Cesc Fabregas in midfield who outshone even Alonso and made an eloquent case for his inclusion in Spain's World Cup squad. The dismissal of Alonso was, as Rafael Benitez said, the match's turning point. The midfielder had been booked for a foul on Fabregas four minutes earlier when, on 81 minutes, he slipped as he approached Mathieu Flamini - and appeared to be signalling his apology in the act of falling - before going straight through the Arsenal man. At first glance it merited a straight red, on further examination it was clumsiness compounded by ill fortune.

At the other end a dazzling piece of work from Fabregas and Henry had given Arsenal the lead on 21 minutes. Fabregas' through-ball was weighted so perfectly that it beat the lunges of four Liverpool players to arrive on Henry's toes. Cutting in from the left flank the striker struck a shot just beyond Reina's reach and inside the goalkeeper's far post. Twice Henry missed chances to seal the game before Liverpool equalised - a goal which Wenger believed should have been disallowed for a foul by Alonso on Fabregas. Gerrard's fierce shot was punched into the air by Lehmann and, of those dashing into the box, Luis Garcia was first to head the ball into the net. Henry's winner left Arsenal in fifth place and one point clear of Blackburn Rovers. Arsenal can overhaul Tottenham when their rivals visit Highbury on 22 April. "It's a little hangover [for Liverpool] from their Champions' League exit," Wenger said. "You grieve a little after that." At Arsenal, the time for mourning appears to be over.