I took one look at the Liverpool teamsheet last night, spotted Peter Crouch’s name on it, and immediately thought: “Yeah, I like it.” Rafael Benítez was giving it a go with the big man and it was a really brave decision. Crouch and Fernando Torres together up front. Not bad, Rafa.

But then I had another glance at the line-up, and wondered: “No Ryan Babel. What’s going on here?” If you’ve got Crouch leading the line, then you’ve got to provide him with service from the flanks. Give him the aerial ammunition and he will deliver.

And yet there were no traditional wide men to provide that service. Steven Gerrard, who started on the left, does many things but he doesn’t have the pace to get past his full back and swing in crosses. Dirk Kuyt, on the right, is an out-and-out striker, not a winger, and provides only a workmanlike presence near the touchline.

Playing Crouch was the right decision by Benítez because Arsenal struggle in the air at the back. It is where they are at their most vulnerable. Yet without wingers to aid and abet Crouch, the bold move was almost counter-productive, in the opening stages at least.

That’s when Arsenal buzzed, taking the lead through Abou Diaby. They were superb, slicing through the Liverpool rearguard like butter, but once Liverpool had equalised, when Sami Hyypia nodded home, and then gone in front from Torres’s 29th goal of the season, Arsenal as good as crumbled. Nine times out of ten, when you ask Arsenal questions, they come up short. They do not, yet, have the mental capacity consistently to dig deep.

Oh, and by the way, who rose highest to provide the headed flick for Torres to score? Crouch, of course. Told you. And bravo Rafa!

Arsenal could have won on away goals when Emmanuel Adebayor equalised, and could have won outright had Arsène Wenger been more adventurous. Arsenal are at their best when surging forward, not when absorbing pressure or playing for time. As it was, a penalty from Gerrard and a fourth goal from Babel settled it in a dramatic finale.

Wenger claimed that the penalty, when Kolo Touré felled Babel, was dodgy and that Arsenal should have had a penalty in the first leg when Kuyt appeared to grab Alexander Hleb. He may or may not have a point, I’m not convinced either way.

Yet two contentious decisions did not decide this tie. Over the two matches, and especially last night, it was Liverpool’s desire, their hunger, their passion, that made the difference. They wanted it more and, in the cold light of day, Wenger will need to address that. I’m sure he will.