Liverpool’s Arsenal test will gauge the strength of their title challenge
Liverpool have won five consecutive matches and climbed to fourth in the Premier League, renewing talk of a title challenge under new manager Andoni Iraola. Their 2-0 win over Brighton, the league’s highest scorers, was a convincing step forward, but Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal at Anfield will test whether Liverpool can compete with the leading sides.
Liverpool sit six points behind Manchester City and Arsenal, and a win would cut that gap to three. They have scored 15 goals in five games since losing 3-0 to City and won all three of their Champions League matches; Alexander Isak has six league goals. Iraola has restored a recognisable pressing style and Liverpool have kept clean sheets in half their league games, though questions remain about creating chances and beating stubborn opponents.
In short
- Liverpool’s five-match winning run has put them fourth.
- A win over Arsenal would bring them within three points of the leaders.
- Iraola has restored Liverpool’s pressing identity, but tests remain.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Liverpool’s run of five wins, strong scoring and improved defensive record suggest Iraola has made the side more coherent and capable of challenging near the top. A win over Arsenal would bring them within three points of the leaders and provide evidence that their progress holds up against elite opposition.
The case against
Five wins do not yet establish a title challenge, particularly when Liverpool remain six points behind and still face questions about creating chances and breaking down stubborn teams. Arsenal will be a more telling test of whether Liverpool’s form and pressing can deliver consistently against leading sides.
Explained simply
The Premier League is England’s top football competition, where clubs play each other home and away across the season. Liverpool are managed by Andoni Iraola, who has brought back a high-energy pressing approach; their recent results have moved them closer to the teams at the top.
Arsenal and Manchester City are among Liverpool’s main rivals for the title, awarded to the club that finishes first after all league matches. Liverpool’s position depends not only on winning games but also on scoring goals and gaining points against other leading sides, while a small number of results can change the gap between clubs.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Are Liverpool in the title race? Their match against Arsenal will tell us a lot”.