Liverpool’s winning run faces Arsenal test as Iraola’s changes take hold

Liverpool have won five matches in a row ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal at Anfield, offering an early test of how far Andoni Iraola has taken the side since becoming head coach. A win would leave Liverpool three points behind the Premier League leaders; defeat would put them nine points adrift after nine games.

The BBC reports that Liverpool have won nine and drawn three of their 13 matches in all competitions under Iraola. Their five-game winning run began after their only defeat of the season so far, against Manchester City on 11 October.

Liverpool’s recent progress has come alongside a renewed connection with the Anfield crowd, BBC football reporter Aadam Patel writes. Iraola said the atmosphere gave his team “a big advantage over other teams”. The side have beaten Brighton in the league and Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup, as well as coming from behind to defeat Villarreal in the Champions League.

That Villarreal match was a 4-3 comeback, with Rio Ngumoha providing two assists. Liverpool’s victory highlighted the teenager’s growing role, as Iraola has also given opportunities to other young players.

Rotation has been another feature of the new regime: Liverpool have made at least three changes to their starting line-up in nine consecutive games. Iraola said he would continue rotating players to manage their workload across a schedule of two matches a week. He described the process as getting the decisions right on “loading and freshening the legs”.

Liverpool have also become more direct in possession. They averaged 24.9 long balls per Premier League match this season, compared with 21 last term, while their average number of high pressures and sprints has risen. Their average distance covered has edged down, from 111.7km to 111.1km per game.

Captain Virgil van Dijk described the team’s pressing as intense but said it could leave them vulnerable. “It’s still a work in progress,” he said, adding that Liverpool were trying to take risks while avoiding exposure at the back. Iraola said there was another level for the team to reach.

Arsenal have not won at Anfield since 2012, according to the BBC. Their visit will test Liverpool’s recent run against the reigning champions and give an early indication of whether Iraola’s side can close the gap at the top.