Andoni Iraola says it would still be too early to say whether Liverpool are in a Premier League title challenge – even if his side beat champions Arsenal on Sunday.

The Reds are enjoying their best run under Iraola, winning four games in a row before progressing past Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said the Reds could emerge as Arsenal’s closest challengers due to the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City this season, a feeling that could become stronger should they win against the champions and move three points behind Mikel Arteta’s team.

"It's good if the fans have expectations and think we can win. But if you ask me, it is still very early in the season,” Iraola said.

“I said before, it's still October, take one game at a time and I always say the first reference is normally when we have played against each other once, halfway through the season, and then you can start looking at the standings.

“Now we are in a position where we need to improve, keep getting better.”

Liverpool, meanwhile, could be boosted by the return of Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz.

Szoboszlai’s return form injury against Brentford two weeks ago lasted only 31 minutes but there is a chance the midfielder, who scored a stunning free-kick in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Arsenal last season, is available.

“We still have two days,” Iraola said. “I think they have a chance, yes."