Liverpool have won five consecutive matches since a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, and former defender Jamie Carragher has revised his view on the club's title credentials. Meanwhile, the agent of defender Ronald Araujo has said it is still too early to discuss the player's future beyond this season.
Five straight wins transform Liverpool's season
After the loss to Manchester City raised questions about Andoni Iraola's suitability for the Anfield job, the Reds have responded with five straight victories across all competitions, scoring 15 goals in the process. Wins against LASK, Brentford, Villarreal and Brighton were followed by a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea on Wednesday night, which secured a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Attention now turns to Sunday's match against Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, which will serve as a test of Liverpool's title ambitions.
Carragher changes his mind on Liverpool
Jamie Carragher, who initially doubted Iraola's appointment, now considers Liverpool as Arsenal's main challengers. At the start of the campaign, he had argued that the manager would need significant time to reshape the squad into title contenders after an underwhelming 2025/26 season under Arne Slot.
Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher said: "I count myself as one of those on a journey with Iraola from initial scepticism following his appointment towards cautious optimism having seen his vision starting to take shape." He added that his early fear was that Liverpool had hired a manager who had never won a trophy or managed in European competition.
Carragher also pointed to the Manchester City case as a factor changing the season's outlook. "Now we expect City to be punished soon," he wrote. "Given the nature and severity of their misdemeanours, it is inconceivable they will be a title contender if that happens. The door is open for those in the chasing pack with the capacity and will to walk through it."
Araujo's agent cools talk of permanent move
Ronald Araujo's agent, Edoardo Crnjar, has said it is too early to discuss the defender's future beyond the current campaign, while stressing that the player is happy at Anfield. Araujo joined Liverpool on a season-long loan from Barcelona in August and has impressed supporters.
"Ronald is performing well. We're very pleased with what he's bringing to the team, but it's still too early to talk about his future," Crnjar said. "He's feeling great. He's happy to be playing for Liverpool and to be helping the club and his team-mates, just as he's said before."
The 27-year-old made more than 200 appearances for Barcelona without securing a regular starting role. Since moving to Liverpool, he has featured in all 13 opening fixtures, starting 11 of them.
