Julio Baptista scored four times and missed a penalty as Arsenal's third-choice side won 6-3 at Liverpool on Tuesday to reach the English League Cup semi-finals.
Three days after the Gunners beat Liverpool 3-1 to eliminate the defending champion from the FA Cup, they returned to Anfield and built a 4-1 halftime lead with two goals by Baptista and one each by Jeremie Aliadiere and Alex Song.
After Baptista added a fifth in the 60th minute, Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia scored to try to rally the Reds.
PHOTO: AP
But the Brazilian on loan from Real Madrid, who failed to convert a penalty with the score 4-1, added his fourth with six minutes to go.
"Today is very special for me and for Arsenal," Baptista said. "The team played a very, very strong game and after the match we're happy."
Liverpool must recover from being knocked out of both domestic cup competitions three days apart, conceding nine goals at home and apparently having lost Mark Gonzalez and Luis Garcia with serious leg injuries.
"We must forget about it as soon as possible and think about Watford," manager Rafa Benitez said referring to Saturday's Premier League game. "They [Arsenal] had four chances in the first half and scored four goals. I am more worried about Luis Garcia and Mark Gonzalez who may be out for a long time," he said.
Arsenal next will meet north London neighbor Tottenham in the two-leg semi-finals. The first leg of the other semi-final was yesterday when League Two Wycombe hosted Chelsea. The final is at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on Feb. 25.
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