Liverpool marched into their third Champions League semi-final in four years after a stunning triumph over Arsenal at Anfield.

With seven minutes left, Arsenal looked like were through as the score stood at 2-2.

But Steven Gerrard became the first Liverpool player in history to score in four successive home European matches to send his side ahead from the penalty spot, before Ryan Babel's breakaway goal sealed a victory which sets up another semi-final clash with Chelsea.

Arsenal scored first through Abou Diaby, before Sami Hyypia and then Fernando Torres forced Liverpool ahead. Emmanuel Adebayor's strike with seven minutes left looked to have finished off the Anfield men.

But Gerrard's penalty and Babel's late break sealed another sensational night at this emotional old stadium.

With Tom Hicks back in Dallas, his co-owner George Gillett took the chance to be in the directors' box with son Foster, while Hicks' son Tom junior was also in attendance. But just for once they went unnoticed and the club's laughable politics took second place to the real drama on the pitch.

The end of the week-long trilogy between these English giants saw one surprise selection, with Benitez opting for Peter Crouch.

Arsenal were without Robin van Persie from the first leg, the Dutchman's injured knee not risked beyond the bench initially.

The Gunners started in sensational style, displaying blistering pace, strength in the tackle and sublime passing skills. Liverpool were stretched every way possible.

Alexander Hleb, in a central role supporting Adebayor, was a constant danger and they were ahead in the 13th minute.

Anfield was stunned into silence as Hleb threaded a ball down the right for Diaby to surge into the box before crashing home a shot between Jose Reina and his near post.

The disbelief from the Kop made you wonder for a second whether the ball had gone in. But the delayed roar from Arsenal fans at the other end soon confirmed Arsenal's deserved advantage.

With Steven Gerrard deployed on the left, Arsenal were destroying Liverpool's midfield, and flying at a frantic defence.

For 30 minutes Arsenal had been magnificent and Liverpool mesmerised by the quality swirling around them.

Somehow they needed a foothold in the game, just to draw breath if nothing else, such was Arsenal's superiority.

And it came from Hyypia. The 34-year-old, with a newly-signed contract this week, produced a towering header from Gerrard's corner that crashed into the net on the half-hour off Manuel Almunia's post.

Suddenly Liverpool were alive. Gerrard flashed a 30-yard shot wide, Dirk Kuyt's drive was charged down and Philippe Senderos - already booked for a foul on the Liverpool captain - started to struggle against Crouch's height.

Then Arsenal suffered the blow of Mathieu Flamini being carried off after looking to have fallen awkwardly on an ankle. Gilberto came on after 40 minutes. By now Liverpool looked a changed side; steaming forward, their confidence restored.

England boss Fabio Capello and Manchester United chief Sir Alex Ferguson sat side by side, enthralled, as Arsenal steeled themselves to defend in front of the Kop after the break.

Fabio Aurelio's shot was deflected agonisingly wide by Crouch, Torres having provided the cross.

It was the Spain striker, quiet up to that point, who forced Liverpool ahead. Crouch's flick-on reached the Liverpool goal machine in the box, he turned Senderos with ease before firing his shot into the top corner.

Anfield erupted. Benitez, tie askew, urged his men on while Wenger replaced Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue with Van Persie and Theo Walcott, knowing another Arsenal goal would put them through.

Adebayor missed when clean through, the tension by now could be cut with a knife. Babel came on for Crouch, who left the field to a standing ovation.

Liverpool switched back to their preferred system, with Gerrard working behind Torres while two holding players protected the midfield.

But Liverpool were caught searching for more, and Arsenal moved forward on the break. Walcott embarked on an amazing run from his own half before pulling the ball back for Adebayor to drill in the equaliser after 83 minutes.

Hyypia collapsed in anguish, all around Liverpool players could see the end of their dream.

But astonishingly they rallied. Straight from the restart, some Gunners still celebrating it seemed, Babel surged into the box and was brought down by Kolo Toure.

Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt pointed to the spot, and with the Kop in hushed agony, Gerrard drove the penalty high into the net.

John Arne Riise came on for Torres, Liverpool desperate for the end now. Another Gunners goal would again see them through.

But with Arsenal's players all up in Liverpool's box for a free-kick, the ball broke from the mass of players to be belted forward for Babel to outpace Fabregas to gloriously drive home the fourth.

Alvaro Arbeloa came on for a shattered Kuyt, and there was nothing left now from Wenger's men as Anfield celebrated.

Teams:

Liverpool Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Gerrard,Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Arbeloa 90), Torres (Riise 87),Crouch (Babel 78).

Subs Not Used: Itandje, Voronin, Benayoun, Lucas.

Goals: Hyypia 30, Torres 69, Gerrard 86 pen, Babel 90.

Arsenal Almunia, Toure, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy,Eboue (Walcott 72), Flamini (Silva 42), Fabregas,Diaby (Van Persie 72), Hleb, Adebayor.

Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Song Billong, Bendtner, Justin Hoyte.

Booked: Senderos, Toure.

Goals: Diaby 13, Adebayor 84.

Att: 41,985

Ref: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden).