Arsenal have nine players in their own penalty area, with Alexandre Lacazette the only one not there, although he is only yards away.

For 30 minutes since Granti Xhaka's red card, Arsenal have defended superbly, they've got up to another 40 to go though.

Mikel Arteta springs from his seat to offer some encouragement to his Arsenal team after Calum Chambers, deep on the right-hand side sends in a cross but gets way too much on it and it is out of play.

Liverpool have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones as options on the bench but there is no Divock Origi as he's out of action with a knee injury.

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita are all in Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.

A very early scare for Arsenal. Takumi Minamino goes on a fine run down the left wing and crosses level with the 18-yard box but it nearly catches Aaron Ramsdale off guard.

The goalkeeper has to back pedal at pace and is relieved to see the cross drift just wide.

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We're back under way for the second half.

Eighty per cent of the ball for Liverpool, but they have not tested Aaron Ramsdale yet.

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Dion Dublin
Former Manchester United striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It was a clear goalscoring opportunity. I do believe Jota was through and the referee got it spot on.

Keithmc: Granit Xhaka...Arsenal's very own Sergio Ramos except for the lack of medals and footballing ability.

Specs: With that red card and injuries and Covid... Arsenal will be calling off their next game, right?

Full credit to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. Their squad is heavily depleted with injuries, Covid-19 cases and international call-ups and have been down to 10 men for the last 20 minutes of the half.

But the Gunners have defended very resolutely, with not a shot on target from either side in that opening 45 minutes.

That makes it sound like it has been terrible, which it definitely hasn't been, but Jurgen Klopp will be wanting more from his side after the break.

Dion Dublin
Former Manchester United striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The 5-3-1 formation is so compact now for Arsenal. Organisation and concentration is the key for Arsenal. Liverpool are going to have to move the ball quicker.

That straight red card for Granit Xhaka sees him miss the north London derby away at Tottenham next Sunday as well as the second leg of this one next Thursday.

With Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard all unavailable for various reasons, it'll be an inexperienced Arsenal midfield against Spurs.

It's attack versus defence. In the last 15 minutes, Arsenal have had 11% of the ball.

A real chance for Liverpool to kill this tie off before it moves to London next Thursday. Arsenal would happily take a goalless draw and try their luck next week.

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It could well be a lonely evening for Alexandre Lacazette as he is the lone man up front now for Arsenal with that Xhaka red card leading to Arsenal adopting a back five, all tight and narrow.

The Gunners are doing a good job defending at the moment. But there is a long, long way to go. They've already brought on Calum Chambers and Rob Holding and their other options on the bench are extremely limited with a host of youngsters included.

Dr Peter Venkman: Xhaka is such an amateur.. Even the other players must get annoyed with him. Always letting his team mates down...

SPM: Even as a Liverpool fan I am disappointed to see Firmino applauding the red card. No need.

Peter: That red card may work to Arsenal's advantage. Xhaka off before he can give away a penalty and Nketiah off before he can do nothing at all.

Surprisingly, we're yet to have a shot on target from either side, despite it being played at a frantic pace.

Trent Alexander-Arnold tries to send in a cross but it's a rare overhit one and the ball is launched into the stand behind Aaron Ramsdale's goal..

That's five red cards for Granit Xhaka in his Arsenal career.

Twenty-eight minutes gone and Arsenal have made their second change.

Striker Eddie Nketiah is not a happy man at all as he is the one that has to go off with defender Rob Holding coming on to tighten things up.

If Nketiah is thinking about leaving the club that will not help his mood.

Dion Dublin
Former Manchester United striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

He had to. It wasn't intentional but he had to go.

That's the second time Granit Xhaka has been sent off this season.

He had seen red in the 5-0 loss at Manchester City in August in the Premier League as well.

It's a straight red. Diogo Jota is trying to collect a long ball forward and is right on the edge of the penalty area but is booted in the ribs by Granit Xhaka and the Switzerland midfielder is off.

It is classed as denying a goalscoring chance and Arsenal have a massive uphill task now to keep Liverpool at bay.

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