Veteran defender Jamie Carragher returns to Liverpool’s starting line-up as they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

For the hosts, Thomas Vermaelen partners Per Mertesacker in central defence, with Kieran Gibbs in at left-back for Andre Santos.

Jack Wilshere starts after being rested for the Gunners’ trip to Brighton in the FA Cup, while Theo Walcott is again positioned on the right as Olivier Giroud continues in the lone-striker role.

Pepe Reina returns in goal for the visitors, while Brendan Rodgers’ defence consists of Andre Wisdom at right-back, with a central pairing of Carragher and Daniel Agger, while Glen Johnson shifts to left-back in the absence of Jose Enrique – who is only fit enough for a place on the bench after returning from injury.

Joe Allen, Raheem Sterling and Fabio Borini all drop to the bench following the 3-2 defeat to Oldham, and are replaced by captain Steven Gerrard, Lucas and Stewart Downing, with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez continuing in attacking roles.

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Ramsey, Wilshere; Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski; Giroud.

Subs: Mannone, Koscielny, Jenkinson, Santos, Diaby, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky.

Liverpool: Reina; Wisdom, Carragher, Agger, Johnson; Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson; Downing, Sturridge, Suarez.

Subs: Jones, Enrique, Skrtel, Shelvey, Allen, Borini, Sterling.