Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai laid out the gauntlet to Arsenal ahead of their clash at the home of the Premier League leaders on Thursday (January 8). The Reds are fourth in the standings.
Arne Slot's side overcame a run of six defeats in seven games with an eight-game unbeaten run, winning four, but have drawn the last two. Meanwhile, the Gunners are six points clear at the top after 20 games and 14 points ahead of the Reds.
Ahead of the clash at the Emirates, Szoboszlai - who has 10 goal contributions (scoring five) in 26 games across competitions this season - reminded the Gunners of Liverpool's pedigree despite their dominant position in the points table.
"The Premier League is not easy," he said (as per Sky Sports). "You don't win it by January, so I don't think we are playing against the champions. They're playing against the champions.
"And that's probably they know as well, we know as well. Of course they are one of the favourites for this year, unbelievable team, really good players. But we shouldn't also forget about Man City, about Villa, who is doing very good. No, we don't play against the champions, they play against the champions."
Szoboszlai has scored twice in the league (in 19 games) this season, with his latest strike coming in the 3-3 draw at promoted Leeds United in December.
Arsenal vs Liverpool - A few tidbits
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta
Arsenal have an unflattering recent record against Liverpool, not keeping a clean sheet in 20 Premier League clashes since a goalless stalemate in August 2015. Their latest league clash earlier this season saw the Reds win 1-0 at home.
The Gunners' 26 losses against Arne Slot's side - level with Manchester United - are the most they have suffered against any side in the Premier League as they look to avoid an eighth league double.
However, since that aforementioned loss at Anfield, Mikel Arteta's side have hit a purple patch in the league, winning 13 of 17 games, including the last six, losing one (2-1 at Aston Villa in December) as they seek a first league title since 2004.