Arsenal bounced back from Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in style with a four-goal battering of Liverpool at the Emirates.

The Gunners, who recorded their fifth successive Women’s Super League win, were dealt a 2-0 loss in Madrid in their quarter-final first leg earlier this week.

They rediscovered their winning touch on Saturday courtesy of efforts from Caitlin Foord, Mariona Caldentey and two own-goals from Liverpool’s Jasmine Matthews.

Victory for Renee Slegers’ women sees them move five points off WSL leaders Chelsea, who play their game in hand at Manchester City on Sunday.

The north London side will play at the Emirates again on Wednesday, where they look to overturn a deficit against Madrid in the second leg.

Arsenal looked to make an immediate improvement from their midweek collapse.

The creative Caldentey pulled the strings between the lines, slipping Chloe Kelly into space in the third minute before the Manchester City loanee blasted her shot over the bar from inside the box as Arsenal sounded an early warning to their visitors.

The Lionesses winger showed signs of returning to her best with her intricate one touch passes and awareness to drift into half spaces causing left-back Taylor Hinds problems early on.

One successful drive in particular by Kelly set-up Alessia Russo with a shot which smashed the side netting as it appeared a breakthrough was imminent.

And that turned out to be the case. Kelly was involved once again as her corner in the 28th minute was not cleared and Foord smashed home from inside the six-yard box.

Arsenal were red hot as they struck again from the restart. Slegers will take some praise for the Gunners’ press which allowed Frida Maanum to force a turnover and Kim Little’s subsequent ball across the face of the box to be turned in by Matthews.

Spain international Caldentey had been the link between Arsenal’s midfield and attack for the first 45 and her efforts were rewarded with a goal of her own.

The former Barcelona player, who joined the Gunners on a free in the summer, perfectly controlled a high ball on the edge of the area, shifted it onto her left foot and curled her effort into the top-left corner to make it three on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was more of the same as Arsenal struck again. Beth Mead came off the bench and was played in behind, with her shot being turned in by Matthews for her second own-goal of the match in the 69th minute.