Champions' reserves overrun

Arsenal's strength in depth may be enviable but they did not have quite enough in reserve last night. Fielding a team which bore only a passing resemblance to the one that had won its previous 10 Premiership games en route to the title, they were overpowered by a Liverpool side who completed a league double over the champions.

Sadly, the evening's abiding memory was of Arsenal striker Ian Wright being carried off on a stretcher after 65 minutes. Ironically, he had been felled by his close friend and England teammate Paul Ince, whose bone-jarring challenge was out of keeping with the low-key match.

An Anfield crowd, made up of traditionalists as it is, love nothing more than to toast the achievements of others. During the course of several years of underachieving, raising a glass to acknowledge somebody else's success has almost become second nature.

They turned out in their thousands to acclaim the new champions, but the more influential members of Arsenal's title-winning side were in London protecting weary limbs ahead of Saturday week's FA Cup final.

There were eight changes to the side who overran Everton on Sunday, but there was still an air of quality about the Gunners, even if it was spread pretty thinly at times.

While competitive, the evening did lack an edge, and under the circumstances that was only to be expected. With the Liverpool forwards too easily ensnared in Arsenal's defensive web, the game was without incident, until Liverpool had the temerity to score twice in two minutes.

Strangely, both goals were to go to Ince, a man who usually ventures into the opposition's area only if he is looking to settle an old score.

But his opportunism was exceptional, firstly turning in low and hard after Michael Owen's run had been checked, and then steering home from no distance after an untidy scramble involving half a dozen players.

Worse was to follow for Arsenal. Five minutes before the interval Owen arrived unannounced at the far post to turn the ball home after a Steve McManaman corner had not been cleared.

As the interval beckoned, Owen, uncharacteristically, was to miss from the penalty spot after McManaman went over under a challenge from Matthew Upson.

Once Arsenal had cleared their heads there was the hint of a recovery; the stakes were so low that all things seemed possible. The second period was 10 minutes old before Wright found himself staring a reasonable chance full in the face, but he fluffed his lines and missed.

Oyvind Leonhardsen added a fourth for Liverpool three minutes from time with a rising volley from 12-yards.

Liverpool: Friedel, McAteer (Thomas 54), Babb, McManaman, Leonhardsen, Harkness, Riedle (Murphy 90), Ince, Owen, Bjornebye, Carragher. Subs Not Used: James, Gudnason, Roberts. Goals: Ince 28, 30, Owen 40, Leonhardsen 87.

Arsenal: Manninger, Dixon, Bould, Platt, Wright (Anelka 65), Wreh (Mendez 70), Parlour (Vieira 65), Grimandi, Upson, Boa Morte, Hughes. Subs Not Used: Lukic, Marshall.

Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).