Iraola cautious on title talk despite Liverpool's four-game winning run ahead of Arsenal clash

Andoni Iraola has played down suggestions that Liverpool are genuine Premier League title contenders, insisting the season is still too young to draw firm conclusions — even if his side beat champions Arsenal on Sunday.

The Reds head to the Emirates on the back of four consecutive league victories, a run that has prompted former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to suggest they could emerge as Arsenal’s closest challengers, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City this season. A win on Sunday would move Liverpool to within three points of Mikel Arteta’s side.

Iraola, however, urged patience. “It’s good if the fans have expectations and think we can win. But if you ask me, it is still very early in the season,” he said. “I said before, it’s still October, take one game at a time and I always say the first reference is normally when we have played against each other once, halfway through the season, and then you can start looking at the standings. Now we are in a position where we need to improve, keep getting better.”

Liverpool’s momentum has been built alongside a midweek Carabao Cup progression past Chelsea, adding to the sense of a side finding form at the right moment.

There could be a further boost in attack, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz both in contention to feature. Szoboszlai’s comeback from injury against Brentford two weeks ago lasted only 31 minutes, but the Hungarian midfielder — who scored a stunning free-kick in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Arsenal last season — may be fit enough to play a part. “We still have two days,” Iraola said. “I think they have a chance, yes.”