Liverpool Get a Boost Ahead of Arsenal Clash: Szoboszlai and Munoz Could Feature
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- Manajer Liverpool Andoni Iraola mengonfirmasi Dominik Szoboszlai dan Victor Munoz memiliki peluang tampil melawan Arsenal pada Minggu (5/10).
- Kemenangan dramatis atas Chelsea lewat adu penalti di Piala Carabao menjadi modal kepercayaan diri The Reds yang sedang dalam performa apik.
- Laga di Anfield menjadi penentu arah persaingan gelar: Arsenal unggul enam poin, dan kekalahan bisa membuat Liverpool beralih fokus ke perburuan tiket Liga Champions.
Liverpool received positive news ahead of their Premier League top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday (5/10). Manager Andoni Iraola said that midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and defender Victor Munoz have a chance of returning to action after spells out through injury.
Both players had previously suffered physical problems: Szoboszlai had a hamstring strain that flared up against Brentford, while Munoz was forced to sit out with a knee injury in the same match. Even so, Iraola could not confirm whether either would go straight into the starting XI. “I think Szoboszlai and Munoz have a chance, but we still have two days to go. Yes, they have a chance,” Iraola said, as quoted from a press conference.
The return of both players would be a morale boost for Liverpool, who are in the midst of an injury crisis. Jeremie Frimpong is still sidelined with a muscle injury, while Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Hugo Ekitike are out long term. However, there is good news with Florian Wirtz having recovered from the ankle problem that kept him out against Chelsea.
The dramatic win over Chelsea in midweek not only maintained momentum but also showed the depth of Liverpool's squad. Iraola made seven changes to the starting XI, giving opportunities to young players such as Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, and Lewis Koumas. Ngumoha, who impressed, said the team's focus had already shifted to the Arsenal match. “There is no better feeling than winning back-to-back. Confidence is high, but we must not let our guard down,” the 18-year-old told Sky Sports.
The duel at Anfield is not merely a battle for three points. With Arsenal arriving as the current league leaders, the six-point gap could widen to nine if Liverpool lose. Conversely, a win would cut the gap to three points and revive the title race. On the other hand, a defeat could force Liverpool to shift focus to the hunt for a Champions League ticket, a scenario clearly unwanted by both the management and the supporters.
Iraola stressed the importance of team unity, especially after the young players made significant contributions. “I am very happy to feel this togetherness because it is very important. The players feel the support from the stands, and when we are all united, the atmosphere becomes better. Even when we were behind, there were chants of ‘Come on, keep going’,” he said.
“We need to feel what we are feeling now. The players feel the support from the stands, and when we are all united, we create a better atmosphere.” — Andoni Iraola
For Liverpool, the match against Arsenal is also a mental test. In recent weeks, the team has often lost key players to injury but has managed to stay solid thanks to rotation and the contribution of young players. The return of Szoboszlai and Munoz will give Iraola more options in midfield and defense, especially to deal with Arsenal's aggression up front.
The big question: can Liverpool harness the momentum and the pressure of the Anfield crowd to close the gap, or will Arsenal instead pull further away at the top? The answer will be clear on Sunday night.
