Peter Crouch scored a classic hat-trick as Liverpool thumped Arsenal 4-1 at Anfield on Saturday to leap-frog the London side in the fight for third place in the Premier League
The big striker, making his first appearance since March 6 after surgery on a broken nose, scored after five, 35 and 81 minutes -- one with each foot and a header -- as Liverpool gained revenge for defeats in the league, FA Cup and League Cup by Arsenal earlier in the season.
The result takes them to third place on 57 points from 31 games, two points ahead of Arsenal, who have a game in hand, and crucially in the battle for Champions League places, 10 clear of fifth-placed Bolton Wanderers.
Chelsea, who visit Watford later on Saturday, look too far away to catch in second place on 69 points, while Manchester United lead the way on 75 ahead of their game against Blackburn Rovers.
The first goal came after a Alvaro Arbeloa combined neatly with Jermaine Pennant before clipping in a low cross which Crouch turned in neatly at the near post.
Liverpool were in control and fully deserved their second as Fabio Aurelio curled in a tempting cross from the left and Crouch made a determined leap to score with a firm header.
Liverpool, who face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, got their third on the hour when Daniel Agger glanced in an Aurelio free kick.
Emmanuel Adebayor twice hit a post for Arsenal before William Gallas pulled one back in the 73rd minute.
However, it was Crouch who had the last word when he showed deft control in the box before blasting the goal that secured the first club hat-trick of his career.
"It was a special moment," he told Sky Sports.
"The manager let us know there have been some disappointing performances against Arsenal this season, and we had to make amends for that."
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