Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

"Not much between the two teams, although there were opportunities. Christian Benetke was getting half chances, he was getting into the right areas and may feel he may be putting them away with better players around him, but this game is still totally wide open."

Well that was terrible.

Image source, PA

Kartik Venkat: Benteke needs an emergency injection. Of confidence. Lots of it.

Surely that's a backpass by Brad Smith? If it wasn't what was he trying to do? A through ball is steered towards Mignolet, who catches it. As Dimtiri Payet complains, ref Martin Atkinson tells him to "shut up". Schoolmasterly. Pedro Obiang tries a speculative volley that scuffs along the ground and wide. Three minutes added on.

Image source, AP

John, Liverpool:  Everyone may be moaning about us disrespecting the cup. We're playing better in the first half hour with the kids (and Benteke) than we did with the full team earlier in the season.

Joe, Belfast: Nothing disrespectful about resting players... pulling out of the FA Cup to play in the Club World Cup... now that's disrespectful...

... straight at the wall. When the ball gets pumped back in, Darren Randolph is fouled. Nearly half-time. It will be a blessed relief. 

In fact, if it keeps going like this, then Klopp is going to have yet another match on his hands. Ooohhh, naughty from Winston Reid, who hauls down Teixeira and concedes a free-kick on the edge of the box. Cameron Brannagan fancies a dip...

So far, I'd say those substitutions are about the most interesting thing have happened in the first half, bar maybe that effort from Brannagan. A cup classic, it ain't.

Image source, Reuters

Shane Daly: Benteke runs like a 1977 Austin Allegro; stutters and no pace.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Elmore: Personally I think Benteke is too good for Liverpool and should have gone to a better club.  

As we thought, Tomkins is off, the lesser-spotted O'Brien is on. More interestingly, West Ham have also made a second change, with Nikica Jelevic coming on for Cheikhou Kouyate. Kouyate has gone straight down the tunnel, so that must be another injury.

Image source, Reuters

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

"There was almost an invitation from West Ham there for Brannagan to hit it with his left foot. That was going right in the corner."

That's the closest we've come to a goal. It's a brilliant long-range effort from Cameron Brannagan, who is having a very good game. A low drive, tipped around the post by Randolph. 

Image source, Getty Images

Tomkins has been taken off down the tunnel, probably to be reminded of his own name. Joey O'Brien is on the West Ham bench. Hands up, who honestly remembered that O'Brien is still a West Ham player?

Paul: Klopp is in a no win situation with the team selection. Pick the first XI get a couple of injuries to key players and get slated for not resting them... Play the reserves get slated for not playing the first eleven. Sign of the times at Liverpool, no depth in the squad unfortunately.

Jimmy, Plymouth: Team selection spot on! Any youngster playing under Klopp will now know that when handed a chance against an Exeter, if they take it they'll get their chance against the big boys. I believe it's called, the bigger picture?  

The way Tomkins left the field, I doubt he knows whether to have his tea or a haircut. Very groggy. West Ham currently doing it with 10.

Image source, Getty Images

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

"This game has ebbed and flowed. Liverpool started well but West Ham have come into it. Overall there is nothing in it really."

Postpublished at 30 mins

30 mins

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Ouch. Joe Allen and James Tomkins climb for the same ball, resulting in a good old clash of skulls. I think there's some teeth involved, because there's claret coming from the forehead of Tomkins...

Image source, Reuters

That foray to the Liverpool box was a rare high spot for the Hammers, who are again forced to defend as Liverpool come down the right. A corner, with Klopp applauding. When the ball comes in, Kouyate takes a boot to the bonce as he attempts to head a clearance.

Hand ball? There's a little appeal from the West Ham players - but not huge. Brad Smith jumps with his arms in the air, but has his back to the ball when it's headed against him by Cheikhou Kouyate. Not deliberate, no penno.