The two sides appear to have signed some sort of agreement to keep the ball within a 25-yard radius of the centre-circle at all times.

Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst at Anfield for BBC 5 live

"Liverpool defensively look a much better unit with three at the back. Sakho isn't the best with the ball but he's very good defensively and he's found some confidence in recent weeks."

Thibaut Courtois is played into trouble as John Terry gives him a hospital ball, the Belgian has to dribble around Steven Gerrard and then shanks his clearance into the main stand. A rare lack of composure from the keeper - who must be wondering if Petr Cech is back as number one now.

Don't forget there is action north of the border this evening, with Inverness Caledonian Thistle entertaining St. Johnstone. That match is currently goalless and we have our own live text commentary where you can follow this Scottish Premiership game.

It's a cold night but Yeovil fans have been given a warm welcome at Preston in League One - North End are offering visiting fans a free pie and and hot drink as a reward for making the 480-mile round trip.

A lovely touch.

The flurries of snow are not sticking, no danger to man or beast at Anfield. Both sets of fans exchange songs about Steven Gerrard.

Image source, Reuters

Liverpool start as expected with a back three as Cesc Fabregas operates in the hole behind Diego Costa for Chelsea. Liverpool keeping the ball very well in the opening moments as Chelsea let them have it in their own half.

Game on!

James Griffiths: I'd rather see Mario Balotelli given a real go in the team than Rickie Lambert or Fabio Borini, What's going on Rodgers?

Steven in Derry: Can has a lot of experience at centre back, I wouldn't fancy lining up against him even if I was Diego Costa.

James in Weybridge: Wearing my trusty Liverpool apron tonight, while working in a Chelsea fans pub. Could go either way!

"We'll sing what we want" is I believe the witty riposte most sets of fans fall back on when they are told not to sing something.

Steven Gerrard applauds the old ground. He'll miss this when he's playing the Colorado Rapids.

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Anfield

"Not often the words of Jose Mourinho fall on deaf ears with Chelsea fans - but they have totally ignored his plea not to sing the song taunting Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard for the slip that let Demba Ba in for that crucial here at Anfield late last season."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Moreno, Markovic, Coutinho, Sterling. Subs: Jose Enrique, Lambert, Manquillo, Lallana, Borini, Rossiter, Ward.

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis, Matic, Mikel, Willian, Fabregas, Hazard, Costa. Subs: Cech, Zouma, Ramires, Oscar, Drogba, Remy, Azpilicueta.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

The yellow ball is out, here come the teams. All set?

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers speaking to Sky Sports before kick-off: "We are in a different moment to when we met Chelsea in the Premier League. Even though we took the lead in that game I never felt that we were never comfortable. We are much more confident now.

"Tonight it will be a tight game. The objective is to make sure we are in the game for the second leg. Ideally you want a lead going into that second leg, but a 0-0 or a draw is not always a bad result. You don't need to win the tie outright here."

Image source, AP

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho speaking to Sky Sports before kick-off: "We are always confident, but we know that it is always tough against Liverpool, and it is always difficult at Anfield. So I think it's best to forget the last two good results that we had here and focus on now. We are not excepting an easy one.

"I selected John Mikel Obi ahead of Oscar because we play against a good team. This is only the first half of the match, and we know Liverpool are strong going forward with fast, creative players. I think it's important to bring one fresh player to give us stability in midfield.

"At this moment I want to win the game, but maybe the game goes in a different way where a draw is a good result. If we play well and get a draw I will maybe not be so happy, but if Liverpool play well and we get a lucky draw then I would be happy."

Himanshu Singh:, external Somehow a feeling of 2-0 home win.

Rian Hoskins:, external I'm surprised that Andre Schurrle isn't even on the bench. Was starting to get confidence back but this could set him back further.

Kaushik Gorai:, external Steven Gerrard makes Liverpool side very slow. And against this sprinters of Chelsea, Bad Choice. Willian to destroy him today.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

"First flecks of snow falling here at Anfield and groundstaff out working on the pitch towards the end where Chelsea's fans are gathered - surface looks good, weather forecast not so good."

I've just seen a Chelsea fan who has got his matchday attire all wrong this evening. A baseball cap and a thin, almost tracksuit top, are not what the weather gods called for in Merseyside tonight.

I'd be going three pairs of socks, thermals, jeans, old work boots, two t-shirts, a wool jumper, my big dog-walking coat, fingerless gloves, a scarf and a bobble hat. And I'd still be cold.

Kick-off 10 minutes away.

Jenni in Newtownards: It'll be refreshing to see Cesc Fabregas playing in a more advanced, attacking and free role in front of both Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel tonight. The other two will hold the fort, while Fabregas can now roam free in midfield. Be afraid Liverpool, be very afraid!

Forget what I said about the weather at Anfield, snow flakes have just started to fall. It's nothing too major but you can expect the long sleeves and glove count to ramp up.