In 2012, Neil Mellor was forced to retire at the age of 29 due to a knee injury he picked up while playing for Preston North End in League One.

The striker was robbed of the chance to end his career on his own terms, but when he does look back on his playing days, it's certain that one afternoon at Anfield will stay fresh in the memory.

It was on this day in 2004 when Mellor lived out his dream by scoring a stunning goal in front of the Kop End to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory over defending champions Arsenal.

The game will forever be remembered for Mellor's strike, but there was plenty of drama on the way to that moment of magic in a gripping Premier League clash.

Arsenal arrived on Merseyside bereft of confidence after winning just one of their previous seven games, but they were expected to dominate against Rafael Benitez's side, who started the game with the inexperienced duo Mellor and Florent Sinama Pongolle in attack.

However, it quickly became clear that the Gunners were in for a tough day at the office when the influential Steven Gerrard stormed into the box before seeing a penalty appeal rejected after appearing to be tripped by Kolo Toure.

Liverpool would continue to dominate through the first half, with Xabi Alonso hitting a long-range effort just wide of the post before Harry Kewell's header forced Jens Lehmann into a fine save.

It looked like the Gunners would get the opportunity to regroup while on level terms at the break, but Alonso had other ideas as he put the hosts ahead with a powerful finish from the edge of the box after being set up by Gerrard.

Arsenal were still on the back foot in the early stages of the second half as Liverpool pressed the visitors to keep the likes of Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires quiet.

However, three of Arsenal's key men would lead the fightback in the 57th minute when Patrick Vieira launched an attack from midfield by combining with Pires and Thierry Henry on the edge of the box to slice open the Liverpool defence, before adding the finishing touch with a chip over Chris Kirkland.

Arsenal improved after the equaliser, but Liverpool continued to look threatening as Gerrard tested Lehmann's reactions with a curling effort from outside the box.

An enthralling encounter was on course to end in a draw until Mellor enjoyed his finest moment in a Liverpool shirt in stoppage time.

Kirkland's long ball forward caused problems for Toure and Sol Campbell, and their lack of communication teed up Mellor, who unleashed a perfect half-volley to beat the helpless Lehmann to secure all three points.

Liverpool: Kirkland, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Hamann, Kewell, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle (Nunez 69)

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg, Vieira, Fabregas, Pires, Reyes (Van Persie 67), Henry