Liverpool vs Arsenal: Iraola keeps it measured as Isak drives momentum

Eight league games into Andoni Iraola’s spell at Anfield, the temperature has changed. Liverpool were not widely placed among the front-runners before the season started, after ending the last campaign in fifth. Right now, that looks dated.

Liverpool sit fourth with 15 points, four wins, three draws and one defeat. The numbers matter, but so does the sequence. Since the 3-0 home loss to Manchester City on 11 October, a game shaped by Ryan Gravenberch’s red card, Liverpool have gone five matches unbeaten in all competitions and have started to build a rhythm.

That run has included a 6-3 win at LASK, a 2-1 victory at Brentford, a 4-3 success against Villarreal and a 2-0 result over Brighton. On Wednesday, Liverpool also came through against Chelsea in the EFL Cup after a 1-1 draw, winning on penalties at Anfield. It is not perfect, and nobody serious would claim it is, but it is progress.

Alexander Isak form changes Liverpool outlook

The biggest reason is simple, Alexander Isak. He has scored six goals in his last six Premier League appearances, accounting for two-thirds of Liverpool’s league goals in that stretch. When a centre-forward gives you that sort of return, he changes the shape of every conversation around a team.

Now comes the proper test. Arsenal arrive at Anfield with 21 points, level with Manchester City and six ahead of Liverpool. Beat them, and the gap is down to three. Lose, and the table starts to look more familiar again.

Andoni Iraola sets realistic tone before Arsenal clash

Iraola was careful when asked whether supporters can start dreaming about the title. “It’s good if they have expectations and think we can win,” Iraola said. “They help us massively. But it is still early.”

That is the correct line. There is no value in pretending October decides anything. Iraola made that point clearly: “It’s still October, one game at a time. We are improving, developing.”

04 September 2026 – Ipswich Town v Liverpool – Premier League – Portman Road – Ipswich. Ipswich Town v Liverpool – Premier League – Portman Road – Ipswich. Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola. Picture : Mark Pain Ipswich England PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xMarkxPainx

Injury latest and Anfield record offer encouragement

There was also a fitness update on Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz, both absent recently after injuries suffered in the win at Brentford. “I think they have a chance,” he said. “But I do not know for sure if they will be involved or not, but we still have two days, so I think we have a chance.”

There is history here too. Arsenal have not won a Premier League match at Anfield since 2012-13, a sequence of 13 visits featuring five draws and eight defeats. Liverpool will take that, even if past results do not score goals on Sunday.

Iraola’s broader league record in 2026 is also worth noting, two defeats in 27 Premier League games, alongside 12 wins and 13 draws. Arsenal, for their part, have lost only once in the league this season, 3-0 at Brighton, winning the other seven. So this is a serious fixture, between a Liverpool side with momentum and an Arsenal side already setting the pace.