Liverpool come into Sunday’s huge clash against Arsenal in good spirits after racking up five consecutive wins under Andoni Iraola.

Wednesday’s penalty shootout victory over Chelsea was the latest boost to confidence, and with the Gunners unexpectedly crashing out at Fleetwood, the Reds have every reason to feel good about the game this weekend.

Defence

Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of Liverpool’s heroes in midweek as he helped Liverpool win the shootout against Chelsea, but though his confidence will be high as a result, Alisson Becker will come back in here.

There is a call for Iraola to make at right-back after seeing Joe Gomez show off his versatility on Wednesday. Ronald Araujo did well at centre-back against the Blues, but the Uruguayan is more likely to revert to full-back for this one.

Jeremy Jacquet will take his place on the right of the back two, with Virgil van Dijk ready to go again alongside him.

Iraola could reward a good performance and play Gomez at left-back on Sunday, but after taking the full evening off in midweek, it is much more likely that Milos Kerkez is restored instead.

Midfield

Although fans would be boosted by seeing Szoboszlai back in the starting XI for such a big game, it does not feel especially likely that Iraola will make the same mistake twice with his No. 8 after rushing him back against Brentford.

Ryan Gravenberch has been in poor form, however, and the Liverpool head coach does have a question to answer over whether the Dutchman is trusted again.

Trey Nyoni would be a deserving starter, but it feels more probable that Gravenberch will be given the chance to right the wrongs of Chelsea here.

Alexis Mac Allister is certain to start no matter what, and after putting together a decent run of form, Florian Wirtz will be crucial in the No. 10 role.

Attack

The make-up of Liverpool’s attack could well be what tips this game in the Reds’ favour, and it is imperative that Iraola gets the balance right.

Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola are beginning to click, and it seems impossible that either will be left out of such a high-profile fixture, especially having been mostly rested in midweek.

The choice for Iraola, then, is who accompanies them in the front line, and assuming that Munoz will not be on the teamsheet, that comes down to a straight choice between Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha.

Though Ngumoha has probably been in better form than his older teammate, we think experience will most likely win the day here, with Iraola opting for Gakpo with Ngumoha off the bench.