Jordan Nobbs lines up a free-kick from 30 yards but it cannons innocuously into the Liverpool wall as Daniëlle van de Donk tries her best to hook the ball over.

Jess Clarke leads the Liverpool break in reply, but the home side swarm her like bees to honey and the inevitable surrender of possession comes.

Jordan Nobbs almost tips the ball through to Vivianne Miedema again as Arsenal complete a flurry of passes on the cusp of the Liverpool box, interchanging with ease.

The ball gets tangled under her feet, however, and Liverpool are grateful for the reprieve.

Arsenal have started exactly how Joe Montemurro will have wanted them to - the fluidity they've been rehearsing is there to see, albeit Liverpool's Jess Clarke is working tirelessly in the middle to break-up possession.

That was Vivianne Miedema's 10th Arsenal goal, and there's little sign of a let-up in sight from the Gunners as they scurry forward with flourish.

This has been an impressive five-minute spell for Joe Montemurro's side: they've blended intensity with discipline so far, hurtling into their press with real vigour before snapping back into position like a taut elastic bland.

And we're under way for the first game of the new-look Women's Super League.

Arsenal have line up in a 3-5-2, although coach Joe Montemurro said "formations are for journalists" in pre-season as he spoke of his desire for his side to play total football.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have opted for 4-4-2. There are seven new faces in their line-up, only four remaining from last season, and they'll look to stop Arsenal on this perfect Boreham Wood surface.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Neil Redfearn is in charge for the first time in WSL 1 today and he's aware of the challenge facing his side.

"We've had a massive restructuring in the summer and a recruitment drive. It will take time for these players to gel, but we're pleased with the side we've put together," he told BBC Sport.

"I think the level is getting better. Technically and tactically, it's getting better and better. The tempo of the game is getting quicker and quicker, which is catching up with the men's game.

"It's a massive game. Arsenal are a tough test and they're established, they know one another. That's the level we're trying to get to.

"They've done the right things, Arsenal. If you look back in history, they've been successful, one of the main women's sides. But it's a game for us to enjoy."

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Montemurro took charge of his first pre-season with Arsenal over the summer, having taken over in November 2017, and has been keen to convey his attacking-heavy, fluid, high-tempo football philosophy.

"It's always a positive," he said, of having the reigns in pre-season. "You can start from scratch and instill the information you want from day one, and it's good to have the group together and getting to know each other from day one.

"It's the old cliche, but it's just taking each game as it comes. We fell over on games we were expected to win last year. We know we've still got a lot of improvement and work to do but we're happy with what we've done so far.

"We've seen a little bit of footage on Liverpool and they're a good team with a very intelligent coach who's got them well organised. They've got good players who can really hurt you."

Here are today's two line-ups...

Arsenal XI: Peyraud-Magnin, Bloodworth, Quinn, Walti, van de Donk, Nobbs, Little, McCabe, Mead, Evans, Miedema

Arsenal subs: Van Veenendaal, Mitchell, Samuelsson, Kuyken

Liverpool XI: Preuss, S.Murray, Bradley-Auckland, Little, Matthews, Robe, Fahey, Coombs, C.Murray, Charles, Clarke.

Liverpool subs: Kitching, Rodgers, Kearns, Babajide, Daniels, Sweetman-Kirk, Linnett,

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's ranks are brimming with internationals, some of whom are in action again today after featuring in 2019 World Cup qualifying campaigns for their countries.

England's Jordan Nobbs played in the 4-0 win over Wales that secured automatic qualification for Phil Neville's side, while Beth Mead and home-grown talent Leah Williamson, above, made their senior debuts in the subsequent dead rubber game against Kazakhstan, Mead scoring twice.

Winger Kim Little scored the goals in Scotland's 2-1 win over Albania, sealing qualification for their very first Women’s World Cup, with Leah Evans also starring.

The Republic of Ireland were playing for pride against Northern Ireland and Katie McCabe bagged a double, while Dominique Bloodworth, Vivianne Miedema, Danielle van de Donk and Sari van Veenendaal were in action for the Netherlands, who will need to go through the play-offs to reach France next year.

Image source, BBC Sport

The live stream of today's lunchtime kick-off is just getting under way.

To watch it simply press the play button at the top of the page.

Image source, Getty Images

The winds of change have swept through Liverpool this summer: as well as changing the second half of their name from Ladies to Women, they've also replaced manager Scott Rogers with former Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn.

Redfearn became the first former Football League first-team manager to take charge of a side in the WSL when he took over Doncaster Rovers Belles last January, steering them to the WSL 2 title.

But the new licensing criteria we spoke about earlier means the Belles are now in the FA Women's National League North, the third tier of women's football, and Redfearn has departed for Merseyside, hiring former Liverpool and Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland as his goalkeeper coach.

Six players also left in the summer, including goalkeeper England Siobhan Chamberlain and left back Alex Greenwood (Manchester United), and Wales captain Sophie Ingle (Chelsea).

Image source, Getty Images

This is Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro's first full season in charge of the Gunners, having joined in November 2017 - but he won his first trophy at the club in March this year, beating Manchester City in the Continental Tyres League Cup final, and led his side to the Women's FA Cup final.

Still, Arsenal have not won a league title since 2012, and there are only two Champions League spots up for grabs in a division that is home to two other big-hitters in Chelsea and Manchester City.

Arsenal missed out as they finished one point behind second-placed City last season, and will be looking to get points on the board today with their rivals facing each other this afternoon.

Australian Monetmurro wants his charges to play fluid, possession-based football, and places great emphasis on interchanging. Jordan Nobbs, the side's midfield playmaker, will be vital.

See what the players themselves make of the new Women's Super League season and what to expect from their sides in the video above.

Arsenal's Jordan Nobbs and fellow players try to make their own predictions on who will take the silverware.

That is actually a very good question - who will be crowned WSL champions next spring?

Will it be Chelsea again or will Manchester City seize the crown? Or will it be someone else?

We want your predictions for the new season, so get involved using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

Image source, The FA

There's been changes aplenty across the women's domestic game since the end of last season and you might be scratching your head trying to keep up with them all.

Let Tom Garry guide you through what it all means in his extensive guide to knowing the difference between the Women's Super League, the Women's Championship and which big names have moved where.

Also, if not Chelsea again, who will be crowned WSL champions next spring?

Image source, The FA

Here's how the opening day of the Women's Super League shapes up with five fixtures on the way this afternoon:

• Arsenal Women v Liverpool Women (12:30 BST)
• Birmingham City Women v Everton Ladies
• Brighton & Hove Albion Women v Bristol City Women
• Chelsea Women v Manchester City Women
• Reading Women v Yeovil Town Ladies

BBC Sport

Image source, The FA

What a way to start the new season with live match coverage right here on BBC Sport.

We're at Boreham Wood FC as Arsenal host Liverpool in our early kick-off and you can watch all the action online and on your Connected TV.

While the action's in progress, you can also follow our live text coverage and all the build-up to this afternoon's four other WSL fixtures that kick-off at 14:00 BST.