Thierry Henry completed a miserable week for at Highbury on Sunday, scoring the goals which gave Arsenal a 2-1 win and sending Rafa Benitez's team crashing to their second defeat in five days. The Merseysiders took to the pitch in north London already knowing the result from Old Trafford, but Steven Gerrard and co were unable to keep pace with United and therefore fell five points behind the second-placed team, with the Manchester club having played a game less.

When all was said and done it was Gerrard's error which condemned Liverpool to defeat on the day, the England midfielder sending a suicidal back pass in the direction of his goalkeeper only for Henry to intercept and round Jose Reina before scoring in an empty net.

Henry had fired the Gunners into a 21st minute lead after accepting an astute pass from Cesc Fabergas and then speeding into the Reds penalty area before curling the ball inside Reina's far post. Liverpool appeared to be suffering from a Champions League hangover and continued to give possession away carelessly in the first half. Gerrard did force Jens Lehmann into a fine save before the interval and, after Reina had saved brilliantly from Henry twice, the visitors finally got back to level terms on 77 minutes. Lehmann failed to hold Gerrard's 30 yard shot and Luis Garcia followed up to head home the rebound. But it all went sour for the visitors when Xavi Alonso got himself sent off on 81 minutes for a second bookable offence and Henry followed that with the winner two minutes later.