Skrtel levels with 97th-minute header
Borini sent off for two late bookings
Arsenal score first two shots on target
Image source, Getty ImagesAdam Lallana forces a corner with a deflected effort and though Steven Gerrard's effort is met by the giant figure of Mamadou Sakho his header is tame and loops wide.
The story of Liverpool's opening. Lots of bluster for no punishing attempts.
Image source, PAIn the opening 17 minutes Liverpool have managed to have 79% of possession. Yes, you did read that correctly.
It's one-way stuff but just three attempts on goal and none particularly meaningful. Arsenal are being bettered but their boss will not be too concerned just yet.
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield
"So far so good for Arsenal, at least compared to last season's carnage when they were four down inside 20 minutes, but Liverpool by far the better side in the opening period. Sharper to the ball and with Philippe Coutinho seeing plenty of possession, Liverpool have made an encouraging start. Arsenal have yet to threaten but at least there has been no repeat of February's early collapse."
Arsenal - attacking the Kop in the first half as they were when humbled 5-1 last year - are conceding possession frequently.
Phillipe Coutinho is the latest Liverpool player to wrestle the ball from an opponent in midfield, he has started brightly.
A neat interchange between Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic sees the former Southampton man burst into the box, the angle isn't great but what the heck, he smashes one just over the bar.
Liverpool are bettering this.
There we see the limitations of Liverpool's no-striker policy.
Raheem Sterling shows strength out wide and delivers a lobbed cross but Per Mertesacker leaps like a salmon to power it away. The German is under no pressure at all. All the floaty, light-footed attacking players Liverpool have aren't busting to nod one home.
Where is Andy Carroll?
Both sides have plenty of what I call a 'ball loving' player in them today.
Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic, Philippe Coutinho, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the names roll off the tongue.
Lucas Leiva and Mathieu Flamini, the enforcers on the pitch, will have their work cut out. Fast and frenzied so far but nothing meaningful created and right on cue, Lucas hacks down Kieran Gibbs out wide.
The last time these two sides met on the 21st day of a month they served up eight goals in a 4-4 draw.
Yes, even I know that is a tedious link to cling onto but I'm in the mood to give you hope of a lung-buster affair.
Image source, Getty ImagesAndrey Arshavin scored four that night. He looked like a world beater. It turns out he wasn't for long.
It takes less than 90 seconds for bums to be lifted off seats as Lazar Markovic frees Philippe Coutinho who runs at the Arsenal defence.
It's three against three but the Brazilian is brought down by Per Mertesacker 20 yards from goal. Free-kick in a great position.
Steven Gerrard whips it... wayward.
Nice stuff from Markovic, a clean chop by Mertesacker.
Image source, Getty ImagesRed and white awash stand at Anfield as You'll Never Walk Alone belts out.
The cheers of Arsenal fans can be heard underneath it but eventually the Liverpool anthem takes control given their home advantage.
Stay with us here for every kick. There must be some festive treats knocking about the house to keep you energised. Enjoy.
We are under way...
What would Liverpool give to have this fella on the pitch this afternoon instead of sat in the stands?
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge: , externalAbout to get some treatment and watch the game. Come on boys!!
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Image source, Getty ImagesLess than five minutes to go until kick-off then and a reminder that Liverpool will move ninth and Arsenal sixth if either find a win today.
And with all the talk of Sterling as a striker, underperforming teams and rubbish Liverpool goalkeepers, we have forgotten to tip Kolo Toure a wink. He of course faces his old club here. Toure so far has one win and a defeat against them in a Liverpool shirt.
The players are in the tunnel...
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Anfield
"Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard claimed the 5-1 win against Arsenal here at Anfield in February - when the Reds were 4-0 up inside 20 minutes - was one of the finest team performances he had ever been involved in.
"For Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger, it was humiliation coupled with capitulation. The two sides meet again with Liverpool struggling this season outside the top 10 while Arsenal currently occupy a position outside the Champions League places in seventh.
"Liverpool will take victory without any of the glitter associated with that last performance while Arsenal - inspired by the man wanted so badly here at Anfield last summer Alexis Sanchez - need to show they can travel to one of their main rivals and actually come away with something."
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Anfield
"Anfield is predictably being treated to a selection of seasonal tunes over the PA system - including a very mournful version of 'In The Bleak Midwinter'. Hope that's not an attempt at expectation management ahead of Liverpool's meeting with Arsenal.
"Plenty of chat about Liverpool's scintillating 5-1 win against Arsenal here last season... but not too much talk of a repeat."
Festive cheer this time last year for these two clubs as dreams of a sought-after - and as many of of their fans believe - overdue league title looked a possibility...
Fast forward to this morning and there is an all together different look to things. Europa League place anybody?
Image source, AFPDaniel Kelly: Both sides in need of a win, both managers under pressure. Big, big game! Just hope Liverpool are the team with the three points.
Paul Clarke: Big Arsenal win today. Steven Gerrard to be exposed again by Gunners' pace in attacking third.
Dominic: Liverpool need a partner for Daniel Sturridge so why not take a punt on Fernando Torres. His record as a red is as formidable as it gets.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, speaking to Sky Sports: "For us it could be won or lost on the wings because they play three centre backs. They will be very dangerous with Sterling coming out quickly, he has a change of direction running with the ball so that is something we will have to watch.
"It's always a high paced game. I expect Liverpool to try to catch us on the break like they did last year. Of course we have to re-group quickly, get back quickly and yet not lose the focus of the attack."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's been a struggle this season trying to find the balance; there is no doubt about that. But over the last few weeks the players have been working hard to get to that level again.
"Any player will tell you, you have to have that confidence - that ultimately breeds success. [In the League Cup against Bournemouth] we had an excellent performance. Bournemouth are an excellent side, and everybody saw that as a potential banana skin for us, but the level of our football was really good. It is a different challenge today."
