Are Liverpool in the title race? The question has been bandied around this week — and conversations will only grow louder if they beat Arsenal at Anfield tomorrow.
The clash feels like an early six-pointer but regardless of the result, we can make this point — Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool are on the up and, whether this year or next, will soon be competing for the top prizes again.
This follows a season of strife in which the football was boring, the title defence fell apart and fans turned mutinous — booing, leaving early and moaning at manager Arne Slot.
The Dutchman paid with his job and in came Iraola, who — with respect to Bournemouth and Rayo Vallecano — had no experience of managing the day-to-day stresses and demands of a club of this size.
Three months into his reign, the Basque is yet to receive the plaudits he deserves. Maybe because Arsenal are champions and the two Manchester clubs are never out of the headlines, Liverpool have gone under the radar.
But they have lost just once, when down to 10 men against Manchester City, and have won their last five games, including some potential banana skins. So is it time to stop sleeping on this team’s chances?
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool are on the up and will soon be competing for the top prizes again
Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola are starting to fire for Iraola
We can go position by position and analyse how the Reds have improved under Iraola. In attack, there was a potential narrative of a post-Mohamed Salah slump, but the absence of the Egyptian has rarely been mentioned.
In the summer, Iraola said he wants his forwards to be ‘game changers’ and he has plenty of those — Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha have all fulfilled that role, plus Hugo Ekitike when he returns from injury.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister is back to his best and Iraola sees the Argentine as his coach on the pitch, a man who reads the game better than anyone. Wirtz is getting better while young Trey Nyoni, 19, has been outstanding when he has featured.
At the back, Jeremy Jacquet has been a revelation. Fellow new signing Ronald Araujo is only on loan from Barcelona — there is an option to make that permanent — but is becoming a cult hero.
Iraola has also got the fans back on side. It is fair to say the Kop was unsure of him when he arrived but he has won them over with a front-footed, exciting style in a system that demands hard work and relentless pressing.
There is the perfect blend of youth and experience and it is clear the team are fighting for one another again.
‘It’s not just winning,’ Iraola said. ‘At Anfield, everyone feels when the team goes for it and when everyone is giving everything, trying his best… then the supporters will be there. Even when we have been losing, they have helped us massively.’
Florian Wirtz endured a difficult first season at Anfield but is starting to show why the club paid big money to sign him from Bayer Leverkusen in 2025
Jeremy Jacquet has been a revelation in the Liverpool defence
Captain Virgil van Dijk added: ‘The fans definitely like what they’re seeing and, of course, you feel that energy and it’s great. I’ve been feeling that energy for quite a while and when you miss it then to get it back is obviously very good.’
So, title race? Absolutely. Beat Arsenal and they are only three points behind the Gunners, so why not? Lose and it is nine points, which would not be insurmountable with 29 games and six months to go, but would certainly reduce the margin for error.
Usurping the Gunners might be a step too far this season, but Liverpool are certainly stronger than last term — and Iraola says there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Just look at his Bournemouth side. Winless in their first nine games, they barely looked back as they qualified for Europe. Liverpool had a rocky first month with obvious deficiencies, but are now building a head of steam.
Arsenal visit on Sunday having not won at Anfield since 2012 – last season this fixture was won by Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning 35-yard free-kick
The small details are also improving, such as solidity from set-pieces — an issue that bugged them last term with a league-high 20 goals conceded. The fitness of Isak is a huge factor, while Alisson looks in top condition again.
Asked where his team can improve, Iraola said: ‘Almost everywhere. We are defending really well lately but still we have some situations where we need to improve. In the league, we have been less dangerous offensively.
‘So it is still too early to make big conclusions but there are improvements needed everywhere.’
Arsenal might not be wary of Manchester City given potential points deductions but, should Liverpool beat them on Halloween weekend, the champions will certainly be running scared.
