Araújo central to Liverpool's set-piece turnaround, says Iraola before Arsenal

Andoni Iraola says Ronald Araújo's presence at right-back has been a key factor in Liverpool's dramatic improvement at defending set pieces, though he expects Arsenal to provide the sternest examination yet of that record this weekend.

Liverpool have not conceded a single set-piece goal in the Premier League this season. The only set-piece goal they have shipped in any competition came from Conor Gallagher, whose consolation header for Tottenham came in Liverpool's Carabao Cup win at Anfield in September.

The improvement marks a reversal from last season, when Liverpool shipped 20 non-penalty goals from set pieces in the league under Arne Slot, a total matched only by Crystal Palace and Iraola's former club, Bournemouth, as the joint-worst in the division.

Iraola credited his coaching staff, Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, along with the club's analysts, for the improvement, but singled out the impact of fielding a recognised centre-back at full-back.

"It definitely helps having a centre-back at right-back when we talk about defending set pieces," Iraola said, according to the Guardian. "It helps with the height and the physicality of the team."

He acknowledged the trade-off that comes with using Araújo in that role rather than a conventional full-back. "It helps us to defend better but it is true that you also lose a little bit offensively on the other side," he said. "Offensively we cannot demand of Ronald the same thing as other full-backs and what they give us, but we have to balance this with other patterns."

Arsenal arrive at Anfield having scored 25 non-penalty set-piece goals on their way to the title last season, though they had not added to that tally this term until finding the net from a set piece last weekend.

"It is very early in the season and they hadn't scored [from set pieces] until last weekend and now they have scored," Iraola said. He added that Arsenal's height and technique at dead-ball situations would demand a disciplined Liverpool response, calling the visit "probably the biggest challenge" his side's set-piece record has faced so far this season.

Liverpool could also have two significant absentees back in contention for the game. Dominik Szoboszlai and Víctor Muñoz are both in the frame, though Iraola stopped short of confirming either would feature.

"I think they have a chance," Iraola said, as reported by Yahoo Sports. "But I do not know for sure if they will be involved or not. We still have two days, so I think we have a chance."

Szoboszlai has missed five of Liverpool's last six matches after suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty with Hungary in the Nations League, and has been working through individual training in recent days. Muñoz has been sidelined since injuring his knee during the comeback win over Brentford.

Liverpool have managed without Muñoz across wins over Villarreal, Brighton and Chelsea, but his potential return would add valuable depth as the fixture schedule intensifies. Should Szoboszlai not be fit to start, Iraola has alternatives in Alexis Mac Allister, who has been in strong form, alongside Ryan Gravenberch, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell, all of whom have taken senior minutes in his absence.

Szoboszlai scored the winner in this fixture last season, giving his potential return added significance for a Liverpool side looking to protect an unbeaten set-piece record against the Premier League's reigning set-piece specialists.