A defence that had gone an astonishing ten domestic games without conceding a goal, a run dating back to a 3-0 league defeat at Arsenal in mid-November, chose the worst possible occasion to show their weaknesses as Rosicky scored twice in an eight-minute period before the interval.

The Czech international, a frequent Liverpool transfer target when he was making his name in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, had scored just one goal this season before the cup tie but the manner in which he trebled his tally demonstrated he clearly has an incredible eye for goal.

Thierry Henry, who added the third goal, said: "The commitment was spot on. The last 20 minutes they were bombarding us with crosses.

"I have so much respect for this ground and for these fans. It's always pretty important to make sure you can silence the crowd at any ground."

Liverpool could point to a failed penalty appeal as the turning point, after Xabi Alonso went down under a challenge from Gilberto in the 24th minute and which ended with the home player being cautioned for diving by referee Steve Bennett despite television replays suggesting a spot-kick would have been the correct decision.

But, having failed to capitalise on periods of extended possession, they fell victim to their own poor defending, some slick Arsenal passing and a fabulous display of finishing from Rosicky, starting with the opening goal in the 36th minute.

John Arne Riise lost the ball in a costly position and Rosicky found Alexander Hleb down the right before continuing his run towards the home box.

Hleb returned the compliment with a neat pass across the area and Rosicky struck with a magnificent first-time right-foot shot that dipped over Jerzy Dudek and into the Liverpool net.

It was poor defending and, after Riise had seen a long-range free-kick charged down by the Arsenal wall, worse was to follow.

Thierry Henry's sharp pass found his teammate with five Liverpool defenders in close attendance but, as the Red shirts backed off, Rosicky was allowed to advance to the edge of the area.

There, with Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher and Steve Gerrard still failing to make a challenge, the Czech blazed his shot past Dudek into the bottom right-hand corner.

In the two minutes left to the break, Arsenal might have had yet another when Emmanual Eboue was allowed to work his way to the by-line and Dudek had to charge down his dangerous cross.

Soon after the restart, Dudek saved well at his near post after Henry had sent Robin van Persie streaking away on another dangerous counter-attack.

Liverpool had needed an early goal to force their way back into contention and, having put the visitors' goal under siege from the off, their reward finally came in the 71st minute through Dirk Kuyt.

Jermaine Pennant's left-wing corner was headed goalward by Peter Crouch and Kuyt, hovering inside the six-yard area, steered it past Manuel Almunia with his own head.

There were 19 minutes left for Liverpool to finally stage a concerted bid to hold onto their trophy and they did so against an electrifying atmosphere which had been heightened early on by home supporters staging a vocal protest, seeking justice for those killed at the Hillsborough disaster.

Substitute Fabio Aurelio came close to an equaliser with a spectacular far post volley from a Gerrard cross but Thierry Henry killed off the tie seven minutes from time with a superb solo goal.

The Frenchman chased his own long through ball, made from inside his own half, robbing an embarrassed Carragher of the ball on the wing before cutting in past yet more markers and burying his shot from 12 yards.