Iraola says it is too early to talk about the title

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has said that five consecutive wins will not turn his team's head. Ahead of Sunday's home match against reigning champions Arsenal at Anfield, he argued that it is too early to talk about the Premier League title race. Liverpool won five straight matches across three competitions this month after losing 3-0 to Manchester City. The run also included a penalty shootout win over Chelsea on Wednesday, which took them into the League Cup quarter-finals.

Iraola said, "We are still in October," adding that it would be more sensible to look at the table when the two teams meet at the halfway point of the season. While stressing that the team must keep working to get better, he said it is fine for supporters to dream but that it is still early.

It is recalled that in Iraola's time at Bournemouth, he won three of their last four matches against Arsenal. However, the Spaniard said those results mean little, as the squads and moments are completely different. He also pointed out that Arsenal have lost only one match this season and sit top of the league. It was also noted that the London club have not won at Anfield since 2012.

Sunday's match also gives Iraola the chance to face his old friend Mikel Arteta, with whom he spent his youth in San Sebastian. Iraola said that in recent weeks old friends have been sitting in the opposing dugouts, and that chatting with them for a few minutes after the match is a good thing.

Dominik Szoboszlai, returning from a hamstring injury, and Victor Munoz, returning from a knee injury, could both play in Sunday's match.