Liverpool 4 Arsenal 1:  At least one England striker still knows where the net is. After missing his country's Euro 2008 qualifying double-header over the past week, Peter Crouch grabbed a hat-trick to give Liverpool revenge for the three defeats Arsenal had inflicted on them this season.

The victory sends the Reds above the Gunners into third spot in the Premiership, and Crouch did his England cause no harm with a fine trio, two in the first half and a quality finish for his third after the break.

His recovery from a broken nose kept him out of Steve McClaren's plans against Israel and Andorra. How the England boss could have done with Crouch in Tel Aviv and Barcelona.

Daniel Agger scored Liverpool's other goal, but a William Gallas effort for Arsenal failed to destroy the feelgood factor at Anfield as their new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett watched from the directors' box.

Boss Rafael Benitez made five changes from the side which drew at Aston Villa a fortnight ago, with Craig Bellamy out with an injured side sustained while playing for Wales in midweek.

And as the debate still rages over Steven Gerrard's best position, he found himself playing an attacking midfield role behind Crouch.

Arsenal made six changes from their defeat at Everton two weeks ago, with Emmanuel Adebayor back from suspension and Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue returning.

On the pitch the languages were predominantly Spanish, Portuguese and French, but it was an Englishman who opened the scoring for Liverpool on four minutes.

Jermaine Pennant and Alvaro Arbeloa exchanged back-heels out on the right, and Arbeloa surged to the line to fire over a cross which Crouch met with venom on the near post, ahead of Kolo Toure.

But Arsenal responded with greater pace and quick control, and Liverpool were forced back, Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings. Adebayor's towering header from Fabregas' corner almost brought the equaliser.

Crouch, having an excellent game, continued to upset Arsenal defenders, and when Toure clattered into his back on 35 minutes, it set up the second for Liverpool.

Xabi Alonso's quick free-kick sent Fabio Aurelio away on the left and when his cross arrived in the box, there was Crouch climbing above Abou Diaby to power a header past Lehmann.

Liverpool got their third on the hour when Agger's glanced header from Aurelio's free-kick evaded Lehmann's dive.

Arsenal pulled one back on 73 minutes when Fabregas' corner was flicked on by Toure for Gallas to turn over the line from a yard at the far post.

But any doubt about the result was ended when Crouch produced nimble footwork to find some space in the box on 81 minutes to fire past Lehmann after excellent work from Pennant and Kuyt set him up.  PA