The Italian, fit after ankle problems, saw his
spectacular overhead kick handled by Philippe Senderos.
Boss Rafa Benitez declared after his Carling Cup KO:
"Aquilani said it was a penalty. The worst thing was the defeat and
the result. "But there were positives - and Aquilani was one of
those.
"It would have been a perfect start to win the penalty
and, when you start doing things well, the fans support you more
than if you just play.
"Hopefully, he will be more lucky in the future. He
needs to improve his fitness but he can pass in the final third and
make a difference to us.
"He could be an important player. But we can't push too
hard with him. He will not start on Saturday. It is too soon."
Nicklas Bendtner hit Arsenal's winner after Emiliano
Insua's 25-yard volley had cancelled out a Fran Merida
scorcher.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, in the quarter-finals for a
seventh year in a row, said: "It was a game of top quality.
"They were up for it, the passing was very good, the
ball was played at high pace. We gave people what they paid
for.
"It was more a European Cup night than a Carling Cup
night. I think all who played here will make it at the top
level."
The Carling Cup quarter-final draw will be live at noon
on Sky's Gillette Soccer Saturday.
Old joke: Referee Alan Wiley clears a beach ball from
the pitch
ARSENAL (4-3-3):
Fabianski; Gilbert, Senderos, Silvestre, Gibbs; Ramsey, Eastmond
(Randall 74min), Nasri; Bendtner (Watt 74), Eduardo, Merida
(Coquelin 87).
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2):
Cavalieri; Degen (Ecclestone 88), Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua; Kuyt,
Spearing, Plessis (Aquilani 77), Babel; Ngog (Benayoun 74),
Voronin.
Man of the match: Aaron Ramsey.