Brazilian forward Julio Baptista scored four goals as Arsenal
thumped Liverpool 6-3 in their League Cup quarter-final at Anfield
on Tuesday, three days after knocking them out of the FA Cup on the
same ground.
A callow Arsenal side, showing nine changes from the team that
won 3-1 on Saturday, swept into a 5-1 lead against a similarly
below-strength Liverpool thanks to a hat-trick from Baptista, who
had managed only one previous goal all season.
Steven Gerrard inspired a fight back to 5-3 with a wonderful
volley but Liverpool's late charge was ended by Baptista's fourth
goal in the 84th minute.
The stunning victory earned Arsenal a semi-final meeting with
north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
(China Daily via Reuters January 10, 2007)
