Fernando Torres and Benayoun each scored twice as Liverpool played out a second straight 4-4 draw, replicating last week's match at Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals.
With Arsenal in fourth place - the final Champions League qualifying spot - and much attention focused on next week's semifinal match against Manchester United, manager Arsene Wenger fielded a depleted side at Anfield. In-form winger Theo Walcott, who had scored in his last three games, was dropped in five changes from Saturday's FA Cup semifinal loss to Chelsea.
Arsenal took the lead when Javier Mascherano lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Samir Nasri took control and passed to Cesc Fabregas, who provided the cross that Arshavin sent into the net off the underside of the crossbar.
Three minutes into the second half, Torres equalized. Bacary Sagna's clearance was poor and Dirk Kuyt was able to cross from the right for Torres to head home.
Benayoun, Liverpool's most dangerous player, then put his team in front in the 56th, with Kuyt exploiting poor defending to provide the Israeli with a far-post header.
The lead only lasted nine minutes, when Arshavin struck again, stealing the ball off Alvaro Arbeloa and curling it beyond the reach of the diving Pepe Reina.
Three minutes later, Arshavin had a hat trick and Arsenal was back in control.
Liverpool, however, came back again as Torres controlled Albert Riera's cross and beat Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Arsenal never gave up its resolve and Arshavin looked to have slotted in an injury time winner before Benayoun found himself in space to equalize yet again.
**MSN Foxsports.com**
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