Liverpool takes on Arsenal in a huge clash at Anfield on Sunday, as the two teams look to lay down another marker at the top of the Premier League

Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Liverpool could be title challengers to Arsenal in the Premier League this season, ahead of a huge meeting between the two teams at Anfield on Sunday.

It comes as the Reds have made a positive start to the campaign under Andoni Iraola, heading into the weekend in fourth, with just one defeat suffered so far.

The gap to the Gunners, who currently lead the league, sits at six points, but that gap could be trimmed to just three points if Liverpool picks up a statement victory on Merseyside.

While Iraola's side have been far from perfect, especially with three draws from the opening eight games, Mikel Arteta's side have some frailties too. Arsenal was hammered 3-0 by Brighton earlier this campaign, while a recent cup exit at the hands of Fleetwood Town suggests that things haven't been exactly ideal for the North London side.

A win for Liverpool would certainly blow the title race wide open, though the full complexion of the battle for top spot is currently unknown, due to Manchester City's ongoing legal battle with the Premier League that could yet result in sanctions, should a guilty verdict be upheld on appeal.

That could well leave Iraola's side as the natural next contenders, with former defender Carragher asking if the title race could include his old side.

Writing for The Telegraph, he said: "Here is a question I did not think I would be asking at any stage this season: will Liverpool win the Premier League? It would be premature to describe this Sunday’s Anfield fixture as a title duel. Arsenal are better equipped to defend their crown, while Liverpool are a work in progress.

"Whatever the outcome this weekend, Arsenal will leave Merseyside as the overwhelming favorites to claim back-to-back titles. They have a six-point lead over Liverpool. Should that extend to nine, Andoni Iraola’s primary objective coming into this season will remain unchanged; qualifying for the Champions League will represent a promising start to his reign.

"What makes this weekend more significant is the champions will find a different Anfield to that which ended last season in such a downbeat mood, and came into this one uncertain of what was in store. The discussion about what is achievable for Liverpool in the coming months is evolving by the week, the team bubbling along slightly under the radar."

Liverpool will certainly hope that a title challenge could be on the cards, even if expectations have been set lower after a difficult campaign last time out and a far from full 90-minute performance from the players under the new manager so far.

There are reasons to be optimistic, with star power in the team that is capable of making the difference, though some luck may be required to ensure that everyone is fit and available through a busy season and with a general lack of squad depth around them.

The signs are certainly promising so far, with Carragher not quite believing that a title push could be on the cards, but with more doubt about that answer than previous. He continued: "Such optimism also demands realism.

"The answer to my opening question about whether Liverpool will win the title this season remains a no. Unlike several weeks ago, it is not such an emphatic one. Should Liverpool claim a statement victory over the champions on Sunday, mine will not be the only stance softening."

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can truly start to ask that question in the title race, with this Sunday offering a chance to truly make a statement in the Premier League.