Arsenal claim top spot as Havertz seals win at Liverpool

As Liverpool and Arsenal prepare to face off at Anfield in a crucial English Premier League showdown, Liverpool's manager Andoni Iraola is downplaying title talk despite his team's impressive run of five consecutive wins. The Reds are just three points behind leaders Manchester City, but Iraola insists it's too early to focus on the standings.

He emphasized that the team needs to improve and get better before they can realistically begin charting their course for the title. The reigning champions Arsenal, who are currently level with City at the top of the table following a 2-0 victory over Everton, suffered an unexpected penalty defeat to lowly Fleetwood in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended 16-year-old Max Dowman after he was sent off in the match, rejecting calls to show him more leniency. Arteta described the situation as "not Disneyland," emphasizing that the Premier League demands respect and accountability from even the youngest players.