Team News: Granit Xhaka starts for Arsenal against Liverpool, Martin Odegaard absent

Granit Xhaka has returned to the starting lineup for Arsenal's EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Liverpool at Anfield, but there is no sign of Martin Odegaard.

Xhaka returned a positive COVID-19 test before the FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest but is back in the first XI alongside Albert Sambi Lokonga, with Charlie Patino back on the bench.

Aaron Ramsdale steals the gloves back off Bernd Leno, while Gabriel Magalhaes returns from suspension to start alongside Ben White in the back four, which sees Cedric Soares once again deputise for the injured Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Nuno Tavares unsurprisingly makes way for Kieran Tierney after being hooked in the first half at the City Ground, but Odegaard is missing after also contracting coronavirus.

With Emile Smith Rowe also not ready to return from a groin problem just yet, Alexandre Lacazette starts in the number 10 role, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli either side of the Frenchman.

Despite his poor showing against Forest, Eddie Nketiah holds his place up top, with Mikel Arteta opting not to take a punt on Under-23s striker Mika Biereth, who makes the bench alongside Omari Hutchinson and Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand.

Arsenal starting lineup: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Zhaka, Lokonga; Saka, Lacazette, Martinelli; Nketiah