The game had looked set to end in a draw after Patrick Viera had cancelled out Xabi Alonso?s first half stike, but Mellor had other ideas as he latched on to a loose ball and swept a wonderful half volley past Lehman from 25 yards. The goal almost lifted the roof off Anfield and put the smiles back on Liverpool faces after consecutive defeats to Middlesbrough and Monaco.

The midweek loss of Luis Garcia, Djimi Troare and Josemi to add to Milan Baros and Djbril Cisse left Rafa Benitez with few options for the visit of a full strength Arsenal side. But he needn?t have worried as his side produced a performance to silence their critics.

The question on the lips of Reds? fans before the game had been who would score the goals and Benitez handed that responsibility to Neil Mellor and Florent Sinama Pongolle. And they were helped significantly by a midfield four that got forward at every opportunity.

Hamann, Alonso, Kewell and Gerrard all looked to test Lehman in the opening half and the Reds may have felt they should have had a penalty when Gerrard?s 3rd minute burst into the box was ended by a challenge from Toure.

Liverpool went on to dominate the first half and deserved the 41st minute lead given to them by Alonso?s strike. Steven Gerrard looked close to a return to his brilliant best after his return from injury and it was his ball that found Alonso in acres of space to apply a smooth finish beyond Lehman.

The lead lasted just 12 second half minutes though as Patrick Viera scored from Arsenal?s first attack of any note. The French midfielder exchanged passes with Robert Pires before advancing on Kirland and finishing coolly into the Anfield Road net.

Despite Arsenal?s goal, Liverpool continued to get the better of their illustrious rivals and driven on by a vocal home crowd they tried everything in an attempt to restore their advantage. And Man of the Match Gerrard almost did that when his 78th minute strike forced Lehman into a fingertip save.

Mellor?s injury time strike gave Liverpool more than they had expected, but Rafa Benitez will already have been encouraged by the manner of the performance and the return to form of Steven Gerrard. Antonio Nunez also made his first team bow as a second half substitute and everyone at Anfield will be feeling a lot better after a difficult week