Liverpool plays host to Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend, in a clash that could well shape the title race for the remainder of the season

Former Arsenal ace Paul Merson has claimed that Liverpool must beat the Gunners this weekend to be part of the Premier League title race, following a positive start to the season.

Andoni Iraola's side sits fourth in the table after eight games, having picked up four wins, three draws, and just one defeat. Having balanced that alongside challenges in the Champions League and EFL Cup, it has been an ideal opening few months that could get even better for the Reds.

As it stands, six points separate Arsenal and Liverpool at the top, with the upcoming meeting at Anfield likely to test the title credentials of the hosts on the day against the current champions.

With uncertainty surrounding Manchester City's situation in terms of the title race, following the guilty verdict that could result in a sanction should it be upheld on appeal, then the Reds could well be the closest challengers at the top.

A win could certainly make the prospects of a title challenge more probable for Liverpool, with Merson calling upon the Reds to do just that against his former side Arsenal.

Writing in his column for Sky Sports, the player-turned-pundit said: "Liverpool are starting to cook a little bit, but they have got to win this Sunday if they want to be in the Premier League title race. If they don't win, they stay six points behind at least and still have to go to the Emirates.

"You're then asking Arsenal to lose two football matches without you losing one. And given Liverpool will lose more games this season, you're then asking Arsenal to lose three or four games for the rest of the season. That's a lot of games. But at the same time, it's also must-not-lose for Liverpool as they still need to stay on track for the Champions League places.

"If Arsenal go and win against Liverpool, that could nearly be it for the Premier League title. You then start to think: who's going to go and beat them? This Sunday is one of only three or four difficult games Arsenal have got this season.

"Those games are Man City away, Liverpool away, Chelsea away when they're hot, plus the likes of Brighton and Brentford who if you beat, you know they'll do you a favor by beating your rivals later in the season. The last time Arsenal won a game at Liverpool in the league was in 2012, I couldn't believe it when I saw that stat. Mikel Arteta was an Arsenal player the last time they won at Anfield and now he's the manager!"

Liverpool may well view the game as a free-hit in front of an Anfield crowd that will look to push the team all the way towards a statement victory in the Premier League.

Having already picked up victories against Brighton and Chelsea, a win over Arsenal would truly cap off a week that puts the Reds on the radar of plenty of teams as a top side to be wary of this season.

Whether the side can do that, or even sustain a title challenge, is another question. However, the first task will be to give a good account of the team in a campaign that is currently filled with unknown expectations.

With superstars in the ranks and a style of play that is starting to settle, Liverpool looks ahead to the weekend with hopes of another famous Anfield victory.