Arsenal's Julio Baptista (second right) celebrates after scoring during their English League Cup quarter-final soccer match against Liverpool in Liverpool, northern England yesterday. Baptista scored four times as Arsenal slammed Liverpool 6-3 - Reuters

LONDON (Reuters)

Brazilian forward Julio Baptista scored four goals as Arsenal thumped Liverpool 6-3 in their League Cup quarter-final at Anfield yesterday, three days after knocking them out of the FA Cup on the same ground.

A callow Arsenal side, showing nine changes from the team that won 3-1 on Saturday, swept into a 5-1 lead against a similarly below-strength Liverpool, thanks to a hat-trick from Baptista, who had managed only one previous goal all season.

Steven Gerrard inspired a fight back to 5-3 with a wonderful volley but Liverpool's late charge was ended by Baptista's fourth goal in the 84th minute.

The stunning victory earned Arsenal a semi-final meeting with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.