“It’s a hell of a good pair of substitutes to bring on. This is a great example of how strong the squad is.” - KENNY DALGLISH on the impact of Suarez and Meireles.”We are living in circumstances where every defeat is absolutely a disgrace and an earthquake.” - ARSENE WENGER on another bad day for the Gunners.”We are living in circumstances where every defeat is absolutely a disgrace and an earthquake.” - ARSENE WENGER on another bad day for the Gunners.

AS the disgruntled locals streamed towards the exits, the jubilant travelling Kop remained united as one.

Having waited 11 and a half years for this moment they were determined to savour every second.

For the first time since February 2000 Liverpool tasted victory away to Arsenal and how sweet it was.

The frustration of the stalemate with Sunderland was washed away in North London as Kenny Dalglish’s side finally erased Titi Camara’s claim to fame.

Arsene Wenger described the defeat as like “an earthquake” and the Reds will be hoping the tremors are felt for weeks to come.

Saturday was only worth three points but it felt like more.

This was a statement of intent as for the first time in 15 attempts Liverpool got the better of the Gunners in their own back yard.

After the anti-climax of the opening weekend the Reds are up and running with a major scalp.

Of course it was the perfect time to face Arsenal. The feeling of unrest around the Emirates was tangible.

Injuries, suspensions, the sale of their talismanic skipper, the Samir Nasri saga and Wenger’s reluctance to get the cheque book out have contributed to a malaise engulfing the club.

Liverpool know all about how negativity can drag you down and the hosts were vulnerable.

However, they still had to be put away and while Liverpool were always ahead on points, you wondered whether they would ever get around to delivering a knockout blow.

The Reds received a helping hand from Emmanuel Frimpong whose reckless challenge on Lucas Leiva deservedly earned him an early bath midway through the second half.

But it was Dalglish’s instant response to being gifted a numerical advantage which decided the contest.

The introduction of Luis Suarez and Raul Meireles provided the injection of quality in the final third previously lacking.

They combined expertly to induce the panic in the box which led to Aaron Ramsey’s own goal and then Meireles unselfishly squared for Suarez to wrap up the points.

The impact of the substitutes underlined the importance of Liverpool’s spending spree.

In recent years the Reds have often shown they have a first XI to compete with anyone but the problem has been scratch beneath the surface and there’s been little in reserve.

On Rafa Benitez’s last trip to the Emirates as Liverpool manager he brought on Philipp Degen and Ryan Babel. Back in April when Dalglish made changes it was Jack Robinson, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Jonjo Shelvey who entered the fray.

In contrast on Saturday the boss was able to throw on one of the best strikers on the planet and a creative Portugal international. Inspiration was required and it was duly delivered.

Add in the fact that Steven Gerrard will be back firing on all cylinders next month and the Reds now possess the kind of strength in depth required to challenge over a full campaign.

Wenger’s post-match bleating about “scandalous” decisions and the result being harsh cut no ice.

Liverpool earned any luck they got by comprehensively outplaying and outfighting the fragile Gunners.

The Reds may have run out of ideas and energy against Sunderland but on Saturday you could see the benefits of another week on the training ground.

It wasn’t perfect and there’s still plenty of room for improvement. With so many new faces it’s going to take time to click but this was a big step forward.

Jose Enrique was outstanding at left-back and nullified the threat of Theo Walcott.

Andrea Dossena, Emiliano Insua, Fabio Aurelio and Paul Konchesky have all tried and failed to nail that position down over the past three years but in Enrique the Reds appear to have finally solved a long-running problem.

The Spaniard was a talented sprinter in his youth and it shows. Arsenal couldn’t handle him when he burst forward on Saturday and his left-sided double act with Stewart Downing is blossoming.

On the other flank Martin Kelly impressed on his first league outing since February and only the post denied him a dream first goal for his boyhood club.

Skipper Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger shackled Robin van Persie expertly. The only time the Dutchman had a sniff of goal arrived after Andrey Arshavin had got away with a blatant shove on Kelly.

Van Persie should have scored but Pepe Reina somehow diverted his spot past the post.

It was the first time Reina had kept a clean sheet against Arsenal in 14 games against them and the Spaniard played a key role in a morale-boosting success.

Lucas stamped his authority on midfield and used the ball intelligently, while alongside him Charlie Adam once again demonstrated his vision for a pass.

The Scotland international underlined his confidence with an audacious effort from halfway which nearly embarrassed Wojciech Szczesny.

Jordan Henderson looked much more comfortable in an advanced central role than he did playing out on the right flank against Sunderland. He should have done better with one chance presented to him by Dirk Kuyt but the new boy still made a welcome contribution.

With Downing a bundle of energy and giving rookie full-back Carl Jenkinson a torrid time, the only surprise was that Liverpool had to wait until 12 minutes from time to make the breakthrough.

Standing in their path prior to then had been the outstanding Thomas Vermaelen who won his duel with Andy Carroll.

The Reds’ record signing went close with one bullet header before the break but he failed to cash in on the fact he was up against a depleted backline, including teenage centre-back Ignasi Miquel after Laurent Koscielny limped off early on.

Suarez had no much problems tearing the Gunners apart. The Uruguayan, left on the bench due to fatigue, was instrumental in the first goal and then neatly tucked away the second.

It was the first time Liverpool had beaten Arsenal away by a two-goal margin since 1983. A victory to savour and a victory to build on.

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Jenkinson, Koscielny (Miquel 15), Vermaelen, Sagna, Frimpong, Ramsey, Walcott (Bendtner 80), Nasri, Arshavin (Lansbury 71), Van Persie. Not used: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh, Miyaichi.LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Kuyt (Meireles 71), Henderson, Downing, Carroll (Suarez 71). Not used: Doni, Maxi, Spearing, Skrtel, Flanagan.GOALS: Ramsey own goal (78), Suarez (90).

CARDS: Arsenal: Frimpong, Lansbury. Liverpool: Carroll, Lucas. Red cards: Frimpong (second yellow)

REFEREE: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire). ATTENDANCE: 60,090. UP NEXT: EXETER – away on Wednesday night in the Carling Cup (7.45pm). BOLTON – home, August 27, Premier League (5.30pm).