Andoni Iraola programme notes | 'We are building momentum together - let's continue today'

The Reds head into this afternoon’s Premier League game having won five consecutive matches across all competitions, including the midweek victory over Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup.

The last three of those wins have taken place in L4 and Iraola is keen for his players and the home supporters to once again work in tandem to positively influence proceedings today.

“This is the last of our four successive home games and given Arsenal arrive as league champions and joint-leaders, it would be fair to say that it is also the biggest test of that run,” the head coach writes in his notes for the matchday programme.

“The team has done incredibly well so far. The three victories we have had in this period have all been hard-earned but in different ways they have also been well-deserved because as well as showing a range of qualities, we have also had to show a lot of character.

“It has also felt like the connection with Anfield is growing and this is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction. The truth is that the players play for you. This means representing you and it also means giving everything on your behalf.

“When this happens and the supporters respond, it gives everyone in the stadium a feeling that we are together and that we are all in together. I have still only been at Liverpool for a short time but I already know that when this happens this is a club that can create its own momentum.

“This is what we are looking for. Momentum does not just happen, it has to be worked for in every single moment. Since losing to Manchester City, we have reacted in such a positive way and our aim now is for this to continue.

“This means we go into this fixture – and as I said at the outset it is a big one – with good feelings and we would very much like this to carry on.

“For this to happen we are going to have to be very close to our best because we know the quality that Arsenal will bring and we are also aware that their ambitions today will not be any different to our own.”

Iraola continues: “As with Xabi Alonso on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta is someone l have known for many years and I could not have more respect for his achievements as a player and a manager. It will be good to see him again but I know that he, like myself, will be focused only on getting the best result he possibly can for his team.

“That’s the thing about knowing each other well. We both recognise how important competing and winning is to one another. We have known this since we were kids and I doubt this will ever change.

“For us, it is all about keeping on building, whether this is in terms of results, our understanding as a team or confidence.

“It is clear that we have made progress in recent weeks and this is the reason why we are now in a decent position in the Premier League – although I would be the first to say we want it to be better still – and have been able to push on in the Carabao Cup and the Champions League.

“We can allow ourselves some satisfaction about this but not too much. All that this period has done is show us what is possible and what we can achieve when we are together and when everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“This is not a situation that we can take for granted, the opposite is actually true – it is one that we have to keep on working for with everything we have. This will definitely be the case today. If we want another good result, we will have to go out there and earn it.

“It is very much a ‘go again’ moment for players, staff and supporters so hopefully between us we can find our own ways to make a positive difference.

“If we can do that we will give ourselves the best possible chance of adding more momentum than we already have.”

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