Liverpool’s Iraola Cautions Against Title Talk Ahead of Arsenal Clash
Andoni Iraola has stated it remains premature to consider Liverpool a contender for the Premier League title, even if his team secures a victory against defending champions Arsenal this Sunday.
The Reds are currently enjoying their strongest form under Iraola, having won four consecutive matches before successfully advancing past Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup earlier this week.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested that the Reds could potentially become Arsenal’s closest rivals this season, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City. If Liverpool wins on Sunday, they would close the gap to just three points behind Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
“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,” Iraola commented. He emphasized that significant assessments should occur later in the season, once teams have played each other once before the mid-season point.
“We are in a position where we need to improve, keep getting better,” he added, focusing on the team’s ongoing development.
Liverpool may receive a boost with the potential return of Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz. Szoboszlai made a brief comeback from injury against Brentford two weeks ago but played only 31 minutes. However, Iraola expressed optimism regarding Szoboszlai’s availability for the upcoming match.
“We still have two days,” Iraola said. “I think they have a chance, yes.”
