Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has issued a defiant message to Premier League leaders Arsenal ahead of their pivotal showdown on Thursday night, insisting it is the Gunners who are facing the champions, not the other way around.
Szoboszlai's Defiant Stance on Title Credentials
Speaking on the eve of the match at the Emirates, the Hungarian international dismissed any notion that Mikel Arteta's side, who sat seven points clear at the summit at the start of Wednesday's fixtures, are already champions-elect. Szoboszlai stressed that the Premier League trophy is not won in January, delivering a psychological blow before the teams have even taken to the pitch.
"It's a long way to go. The Premier League is not easy. You don't win it by January," Szoboszlai told Sky Sports. "So I don't think we are playing against the champions. They're playing against the champions. And that's probably something they know as well, we know as well."
The Stark Reality of Liverpool's Title Defence
The context for Szoboszlai's comments is a difficult title defence for manager Arne Slot. Having guided Liverpool to glory in his first season, Slot has seen his team struggle in the 2025/26 campaign. Liverpool began Wednesday 14 points behind Arsenal, with both Manchester City and Aston Villa also above them in the table.
Szoboszlai admitted that the idea of Liverpool retaining their crown from this position seems "crazy", a stark contrast to last season when they were ten points clear by February. He conceded that the immediate focus for his team must shift from the long-term title picture to securing a top-four finish.
"Probably because we are so many points behind we can't think in the long-term, we have to think game by game," he explained. "We have to show game by game we are even able to be in the top four."
Lessons from History and a Warning to Rivals
Despite the significant gap, Szoboszlai pointed to the unpredictable nature of the league and Liverpool's own against-the-odds triumph last season as reasons for caution. He also warned Arsenal not to become fixated solely on Liverpool, highlighting the threat posed by other contenders.
"Of course they are one of the favourites for this year - unbelievable team, really good players," he said of Arsenal. "But we shouldn't also forget about Man City, about Villa, who are doing very good."
The midfielder reflected on the fine margins that have defined Liverpool's season, noting a run of late wins early on that gave way to a period where the team failed to respond to setbacks. He identified this resilience as the key area for improvement if they are to mount any kind of challenge. The pressure on Arne Slot has eased recently after a rocky period, but the match against the league leaders represents a monumental test of their revived credentials.
Ultimately, Szoboszlai's comments serve as a powerful reminder of the mentality that brought Liverpool the title. By asserting their status as reigning champions, he aims to shift the psychological burden onto Arsenal ahead of a match that could have major implications for the destination of the Premier League trophy.
