Abou Diaby got a huge ovation from the Arsenal fans as we get away at the Emirates.

And we are under way!

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jamal Blackman - on loan from Chelsea - is an absolute giant of a man! Towering over Mamadou Sakho as the handshakes progress down the line.

Where's your heart James?! A swinging brick.

Olly, in South Wales via text: Rodgers rested Sterling last week in an important (lost) home league match against Villa when Sturridge was already missing, citing fatigue. He then plays him in the much less important Capital One Cup, prior to the Merseyside derby on the weekend followed by an away Champions League match in Switzerland next week. I'm really struggling to understand Rodgers logic on that one?

James, in Dulwich, via text: I think I'm just about the only Arsenal fan who doesn't like Diaby. Even in full fitness he is over-rated.

Rickie Lambert looks understandably pumped up as he prepares to lead Liverpool out at Anfield as captain. Just a few years ago he was playing in League Two for Rochdale...

Alan Green
BBC Radio 5 live

"Arsenal field a stronger side than I had expected, but it is an inexperienced defence."

Felix Keith:, external Expecting a good game at the Emirates. Arsenal's side isn't as weakened as some thought, but Saints are on form.

John de Vliering:, external Buzzing to see Campbell, Ospina and Rosicky in the Arsenal XI. Rosicky is quality, Ospina's debut and a lot to come from Joel!

Just 10 minutes from kick-off then. Abou Diaby will be warming those calf muscles up an extra notch or two. Good luck big fella...

League Cup winner Steve Claridge at the Liberty Stadium

Image source, PA

"Both these teams haven't had any cup distractions - bar the Europa League for Everton - and will be very serious in winning this competition. There's a sprinkling of quality in the squads."

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

As well as 5 live coverage of Arsenal v Southampton, you can now tune in to 5 live sports extra coverage of Swansea v Everton.

As ever, all audio is available on the live coverage tab at the top of the screen.

Chelsea and Manchester City - who both play at home against Championship opposition tomorrow night - are currently joint favourites to lift the League Cup.

If you don't reckon they will take the competition seriously, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham round out the top five.

Akhil:, external Yes, yes Abou Diaby is the comeback king.

Michael Bracken:, external Abou Diaby is another Owen Hargreaves. Potential means nothing if you can't get on the pitch.

Gumpha Rawat:, external You have got to say Diaby hasn't missed many trophies with Arsenal in the nine injury blighted years.

Image source, Bayern Munich/Twitter

It is business as usual at Bayern Munich as Robert Lewandowski scores to make it 2-0 at home to Paderborn with just 20 minutes of that game gone.

There was a surprise in Madrid as Elche took the lead at the Bernabeu through Edu Albacar's penalty, but Gareth Bale has just glanced in the equaliser for Real Madrid.

Looks a fairly miserable evening on Merseyside as the sides warm up at Anfield. If the artist's impression of that new main stand at Anfield are anything to go by it will be hugely impressive when it's done.

John Hartson
BBC Radio 5 live

"Teams like Southampton come here in the league and think they are up against it but maybe not tonight. Southampton have pre-guessed that Arsenal will have an inexperienced back four and they will see tonight as a big opportunity for them to go through."

Image source, Liverpool FC

There has been good news for Liverpool off the field today, with the club given permission to increase Anfield's capacity from about 45,500 to about 59,000 as part of a £100m expansion plan.

Liverpool City Council's planning committee approved the club's proposal to expand the Main Stand by 8,300 seats and the Anfield Road Stand by 4,800.

Construction will begin next year for completion by the 2016-17 season.

BBC Final Score

Midweek Score is back on the Red Button, Connected TV and this very page tonight until 22:30 BST.

Tune in.

We asked who has made the greatest comeback in sport...

Dave Bodymore:, external Eric Abidal has to have the greatest sporting comeback! To return after being diagnosed with cancer is incredible!

Andez Arsenal:, external Aaron Ramsey's comeback from a compound fracture as a youth to a world class midfielder wasn't half bad.

Ted Saker-Clark:, external Britain's oldest player Dickie Borthwick, 78 is still playing after beating prostate cancer.

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live have started their coverage of tonight's Capital One Cup action with live coverage from the Emirates Stadium of Arsenal v Southampton.

Ahead of kick-off, they would like their views on Southampton's strong start to the season. At Anfield, Liverpool take on Middlesbrough, but should Steven Gerrard be dropped for more than just tonight's game?

Text 85058 or tweet @bbc5live with your views.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images