Liverpool rekindled their Premier League title hopes with a 5-1 rout of league leaders Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime.

The Reds were dazzling in the first 20 minutes, finding the net four times before a quarter of the game was up and then cruising to victory in the second half.

Defender Martin Skrtel scored the first two from a pair of Steven Gerrard set pieces before Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge added further goals before the break.

Sterling made it five after the interval before Mikel Arteta scored from the spot for Arsenal's consolation.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at a brilliant display from Brendan Rodgers's side.

Match statistics

Liverpool
Shots: 22
On target: 12
Possession: 42%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 14

Arsenal
Shots: 11
On target: 6
Possession: 58%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 14

Was the result fair?

Overwhelmingly so. It was a fortunate start for Liverpool as Skrtel looked offside in the opening minute and Arsenal never recovered. They were second-best all afternoon and will want to forget about this one as soon as possible.

Liverpool's performance

There have been some great performances from the Reds at Anfield this season but probably none better than today. Yes, they got a lucky break at the start but they didn't let up and Arsenal couldn't handle them. Apart from the defence, the midfield and attack looks ever so settled and when on song, there's not many teams that can stop them scoring. The league's top scorer, Luis Suarez, might not have found the net today but he was still classy up front and almost scored perhaps the goal of his career when his outrageous 30-yard volley thwacked against the post. So many other positives but it would take an age to go through them all. Just a fantastic display.

Arsenal's performance

February has been billed as a make-or-break month for the Gunners and this was the worst-possible start to a torrid run of fixtures over the next few weeks. They were never at the races today and Arsene Wenger will want to make up for it when Manchester United visit on Wednesday. Before today the Gunners hadn't lost for over two years when Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker completed 90 minutes together but today they were completely outshone by Liverpool's free-flowing attack.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Raheem Sterling: A number of Liverpool players were on top of their game but Sterling was the one to shine brightest. His pace worried Arsenal right up until the final whistle and he should have really had a hat-trick. Surely one of his best performances for the Reds.

Biggest gaffe

Sorry Kolo Toure, you've won biggest gaffe for the second game running! When Suarez's audacious volley crashed off the post the ball fell to the Ivorian, who had an open goal but could only hit wide. It came to him quickly but, with the whole goal to aim at, he should have done better.

Referee performance

As it was Michael Oliver's assistant who failed to spot the offside early on, it was a good refereeing display from Oliver. There was no doubt about the penalty decision after a stupid late tackle from Steven Gerrard on England teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

What next?

Liverpool: Bottom side Fulham are next up for Liverpool on Wednesday.

Arsenal: As mentioned, Arsenal next host Manchester United before another meeting with Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup next weekend.