Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has given his thoughts ahead of facing Arsenal, having discussed injuries, Mikel Arteta's side and the possibility of a title challenge

Andoni Iraola faces yet another big test as Liverpool head coach this weekend - and the stakes have been raised ahead of facing Arsenal.

The Spaniard has still only suffered one defeat since taking charge of the Reds, and five wins in a row since that solitary loss against Manchester City have offered more encouragement to supporters - so much so that Jamie Carragher has even suggested a title challenge might not be out of the question.

A win over the defending champions on Sunday might see that title talk grow, although Iraola is refusing to get too far ahead of himself as he tries not too look too far ahead.

Here is every word the Liverpool boss said during his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of hosting Arsenal this weekend…

On Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz's injuries

"I think they have a chance. They have a chance. But I don’t know for sure if they will be involved or not. We still have two days so I think we have a chance, yes."

On what facing Arsenal will tell him about his own team

"I think it’s too early to start looking at the standings. I think it’s about preparing ourselves for a very difficult game.

"We know Arsenal, we know how good they are, very good players, working a lot, working in synchrony, knowing each other very well and we have to be ready for that challenge. I think it’s going to be demanding, the game, but I also trust our players, trust ourselves and in a good atmosphere that for sure we will have on Sunday, I hope we can be at the level to win this game."

On whether Liverpool is Arsenal's biggest challenger for the title

"I think, like I said before, it’s still October, so it’s take one game at a time. I always say the first reference, more or less, normally is when we play against each other once, so halfway through the season, and then you can start thinking and understanding this stuff. But right now we are in a position where we need to improve, we need keep getting better.

"And the second question about Mikel [Arteta]: Last week we were against Inigo [Perez], against Xabi [Alonso], now it’s going to be against Mikel, so a lot of friends on the opposition bench! I think it’s a good thing in terms of spending at least five, 10 minutes after the games normally with them. But I know that he will give us a very difficult game so we will have to be at our very best."

Should the fans take a similar approach or be allowed to dream?

"No, the fans, it’s good if they have expectations or if they think we can win and normally it’s a good thing. But if you ask me I think it’s still very early in the season."

On the key to beating Arsenal

"It’s true that we had good results with Bournemouth against them, but this doesn’t mean a lot, honestly. It’s a totally different team, different group of players, different moments so I think we cannot use exactly the same things we used with Bournemouth against Arsenal.

"I think that we have to use different tools, use our players as good as we can and trust them. At the end it’s going to be a matter of winning the duels, running more than them, winning the aerial duels winning the set-play mini-games, these things that you have to control against us and all this."

Is Arsenal still the team to beat this season?

"I think they are the actual champions and they are top of the league right now, they’ve only lost one game this season. So, they are in a good place and definitely it’s going to be a good challenge for us on Sunday."

Are the players getting used to what he wants from them?

"I think winning helps a lot, obviously, but it's true from the five wins, just two are in the league. So, if we are talking about the league, we still need more wins to recover points. Definitely we know we are not where we want [to be] in terms of needing to improve a lot of things, but if you can do this process while you are getting results, it's always nicer and better, I think."

Does he agree with Virgil van Dijk about the 'energy' coming back to Anfield?

"I think it's not just winning. I think, especially at Anfield, everyone feels when the team goes for it. When everyone is giving everything, when everyone is trying his best, our supporters will be there to help the team.

"Even when we first started losing in some of the last games, I think they've been there and they've helped us massively. The other day against Chelsea, I think the atmosphere was really, really good. It's nice to recover, to feel these things at home because we have a big advantage, with respect to other teams. I think this atmosphere that we can create is special."

On the expectations at Liverpool

"I knew since the first day I stepped into this building, I knew this was going to happen - it doesn't matter the position, it doesn't matter the competition. We accept this. It is always a good thing also in the people expecting a lot of things from your team.

"It doesn't change a lot the approach of the game; at the end it's a matter of how can we have more chances than the opposition, more chances the Arsenal. We know they are very good defensively. I think also defensively we are in a good place. So, every situation we can create, every chance you can get, is very valuable and after what happens in the boxes will be decisive."

On Ryan Gravenberch's performances

"I think, as you said, he has had better games this season, worse games. Lately he is playing a lot of minutes and has played also very good games recently.

"We trust him. We know what he can produce and like with other players, when they don’t play well, I try to help to improve the things I think he can improve. And when he is in a good place, try to keep him there. It’s the same with Ryan."

On dealing with the hectic schedule

"It’s true that I didn’t have a lot of experience [of that], I had some coaching in the Europa League. But I’ve had a lot as a player, I played a lot in Europe as a player. So, a lot of the stadiums we visit, I’ve already been there. I’ve already been in the [situation] when you arrive at three o’clock in the morning.

"It’s different to manage it. You have to do a lot of the job with the analysts, in the video room, with the board – without spending the legs. But I think our players are very used to it, so a lot of the work is done and now it’s more a matter of getting the decisions right in terms of the loading, freshening the legs. We are changing a lot from game to game and I think we will continue this approach, because I think it’s going well."

Is there another level to come?

"There has to be. There always has to be another level. We need to improve things, yes. Lately we are getting good results but we need to improve in different areas, we know this."