Dirk Kuyt was the Euro star once more, equalising Emmanuel Adebayor's opener after Steven Gerrard cut through the Gunners defence.

The result sends Liverpool into next week's return at Anfield as bookies' favourites, though the heavy weather they endured during the second half illustrates how finely poised the tie remains.

In between that is a crucial Premier League clash which could prove decisive for both the title and fourth place.

The first part of the most eagerly-anticipated trilogy since The Godfather saw Rafa Benitez select the same four-pronged attack that has helped the Reds to eight wins in nine. Arsenal, meanwhile, recalled Adebayor to a side which contained not a single Englishman. So much for not being drawn against continental opposition.

It was Adebayor who could have punished the visitors in the opening minutes when Pepe Reina strayed to the left-back position only to mis-control. The 23-goal striker looked to capitalise but Liverpool's custodian recovered to make a fine tackle.

The Reds' first chance came when Xabi Alonso floated a sublime ball into the box on the quarter-hour mark. He might have the same flowing blonde locks, but Sami Hyypia is not quite El Nino in the box. Instead of hitting it first time, the Finn took a touch and the opportunity was gone.

From there, Arsenal's thrusting football suddenly revealed itself, and it cost Liverpool a goal.

First, Mathieu Flamini lofted a teasing ball to Robin van Persie, who tried to lob Reina with his first touch. The Dutchman then tried his luck from 20 yards and the Spanish stopper had to be smart.

Hyypia and co failed to compose themselves as the resulting corner was swung in, however, and Adebayor was given free reign to nod home from five yards. First blood Arsenal.

Some teams would have let their heads drop; some would have collapsed. But this is Liverpool, Liverpool in Europe.

Within three minutes, the scores were level and the only noise inside the Emirates had a Scouse twang.

Unsurprisingly, it was hometown hero, Steven Gerrard, who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, drilling himself through the home defence before sending a low cross into the six-yard box. Two Arsenal defenders were tracking back but Kuyt got there first to bag his sixth of the European season. Game on, though Benitez still didn't venture a smile.

That's how it remained until the break.

It was the team in black who carved out the first scoring opportunity of the second half after Fernando Torres brought a cynical foul out of Philippe Senderos. Gerrard stepped up for the free-kick midway inside the Arsenal half before hitting an out-swinger towards Martin Skrtel at the far post. The Slovak sent a delicate header to the feet of Kuyt but the Dutch international was denied by a low save from Manuel Almunia.

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott was a half-time replacement for van Persie, and the lightning-quick youngster soon found space down the left channel, cutting inside before whacking a long-range effort inches wide of Reina's goal.

With Arsenal starting to dominate possession, Benitez also decided to tinker, waiting just 12 minutes after the restart to introduce Yossi Benayoun at the expense of Ryan Babel.

The change didn't do much to ease the pressure, though the hosts had to wait until the 65th minute to seriously threaten, first when Skrtel cleared off the line from Walcott, then when Alexander Hleb got through only to be out-muscled by Kuyt, of all people. Penalties have been given for less but Arsene Wenger's calls went unanswered.

Next Adebayor burst down the left, skipping past Skrtel before the ball came to Fabregas. His shot appeared to be going in but the unfortunate Bendtner got in the way. Thankfully for the substitute, his blushes were spared by the linesman's flag.

Still, Liverpool were penned in, creating a wall of black that somehow managed to stand firm until the end.

Stay logged on to .tv for highlights of the first leg on Thursday.