Eddie Nketiah lays it to Bukayo Saka and the England man gets into the penalty area and tries to return it to his team-mate, but Liverpool deal with it.

Handsome Nick: Has Michael Oliver decided that since there’s VAR tonight he just won’t make any decisions? Gabriel clatters Jota. Nothing given. Henderson clearly handballs Ramsdale’s clearance as he charges it down. Nothing given. It’s getting ridiculous.

Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette tries his luck 30 yards from goal after a rare mistake from Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson but the Frenchman can't get it on target and it's well wide.

Zahi: Liverpool without Salah are a new born baby. Toothless and tends to fall asleep

Andy Robertson gets himself into the penalty area and on his right foot his shot is deflected behind.

The Scotland international takes Liverpool's corner, already their fourth of the match, and Arsenal head it clear at the near post for a moment to get their breath.

It is fast, frantic and thrilling. I'd be surprised if this stays goalless.

Dion Dublin
Former Manchester United striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The noise levels are ridiculous at the moment, what an atmosphere. Arsenal are on the back foot.

A no-nonsense, full-blooded challenge from Gabriel wipes out Diogo Jota and the ball is played back to Aaron Ramsdale, but the Arsenal goalkeeper gets very lucky as his clearance is charged down by Jordan Henderson but the ball goes wide.

And Arteta, after only 12 mins, has to make a change with Calum Chambers coming on to replace Cedric Soares.

Image source, Getty Images

A couple of Arsenal players are hobbling around. Cedric Soares appears to have a problem on his right-hand side, while Gabriel Martinelli is limping a bit after a strong challenge from Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.

Injuries are the last thing Mikel Arteta needs with an already stretched squad.

A bright start to this one. Liverpool's Andy Robertson gets in an advanced position on the left flank but a diving Roberto Firmino can't get a touch at the near post to the cross and Aaron Ramsdale, slightly unsighted, does well to gather it.

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka tries to slide it through to Eddie Nketiah but Alisson is well placed to gather the danger.

At the other end, Gabriel gives Aaron Ramsdale a heart-attack with a lightening fast back pass with the goalkeeper out of position. That's a gift of a corner for Liverpool, but they don't do anything with it.

Image source, Getty Images

Cedric Soares crosses from the right and it is a fumble from Alisson, amazingly on his League Cup debut, despite more than 150 games for the club.

But the referee's whistle goes as he had been clattered by Eddie Nketiah for a free-kick to the hosts.

Arsenal, attacking the Kop end in the first half, get us under way.

Trent Alexander-Arnold makes his first appearance in this tournament in five years, while goalkeeper Alisson plays in it for the first time in three years.

No messing around from Jurgen Klopp tonight.

Anfield is packed, the Kop, as always, are in great voice. This should be a good one.

By the way, away goals is no longer a factor in the Carabao Cup if the scores are level at the end of two legs.

There could also be extra time next week, but it is just the 90 minutes for us tonight.

The second leg of this tie takes place at Emirates Stadium next Thursday and Arsenal will have to keep it tight tonight to have any chance of progressing in seven days.

They will have to do better than their last game at Anfield, losing 4-0 in the Premier League at the end of November.

Image source, Getty Images

Izzy Christiansen
England and Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

A real chance for Nketiah to release the fear and show he can lead the line for Arsenal, who have a history of incredible strikers.

Dion Dublin
on BBC Radio 5 Live

Manchester City are by far the best side in the Premier League, they will win the league.

If Liverpool get in the top four and win the Carabao Cup I don't think that's a bad season. Not great - but not bad. I don't think it's bad.

That's what you have to look at - 'what can we win'?

It's a big night for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, who grabbed a hat-trick in the last round but is out of contract at the end of the season and said he wants regular first-team football.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe at the Afcon for the next few weeks, this is a make-or-break spell at the Gunners for Nketiah.

Ian Shepherd: Tonight will go one of 2 ways. 1. We [Arsenal] put a performance like we did vs City and come away with a win or a draw. 2 We get absolutely smashed and play like we did vs forest. Unfortunately at the moment, it's either or!

Jonathan G: Once you get to the semi-final, why wouldn't you go strong whether it was a main target or not? It's not really harmed City the last few years.