Fourth-placed Liverpool host table-topping Arsenal on Sunday seeking to extend a five-game winning run across all competitions. Manager Andoni Iraola downplayed championship aspirations, emphasizing that the table will only become truly meaningful after every club plays each other once. Arsenal travel north having suffered just one league defeat this season as they chase their first win at Anfield since 2012. Liverpool could also receive a tactical boost with Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz potentially returning from their respective injuries.
Key points
Andoni Iraola believes evaluating the Premier League title race is premature until all te…: Andoni Iraola believes evaluating the Premier League title race is premature until all teams meet by the halfway mark.
Past head-to-head success from Iraola's tenure at Bournemouth will have little bearing on…: Past head-to-head success from Iraola's tenure at Bournemouth will have little bearing on Sunday's tactical encounter with Mikel Arteta.
Liverpool enter the weekend fixture with strong momentum following a midweek penalty shoo…: Liverpool enter the weekend fixture with strong momentum following a midweek penalty shootout triumph against Chelsea in the League Cup.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Oct 30 : Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola refused to let a five-match winning run go to his team's head on Friday, saying it was too early to discuss a Premier League title challenge before champions Arsenal visit Anfield on Sunday.
After a humbling 3-0 defeat by Manchester City this month, Iraola's side have won five straight games across three competitions, including Wednesday's penalty shootout victory over Chelsea to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.
Fourth-placed Liverpool are six points behind Arsenal.
"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," Iraola told reporters.
"Now we are in a position where we need to improve, keep getting better. Can fans dream? It's good if they have expectations and think we can win. But if you ask me, it is still early."
GOOD RECORD AGAINST ARSENAL
Iraola has a good record against Arsenal having won three of his last four meetings with Mikel…
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