Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy presents for Liverpool’s squad. He noted that some athletes can comfortably handle a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable and see their performances suffer under the same schedule. "I need to identify which players can cope with a two‑ or three‑day turnaround and which ones need a longer rest to keep their level high," he explained. This observation became evident during Liverpool's recent draw against Fulham, a team that had lost its first three league games.
The midweek clash with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League appeared to take its toll, leaving the Reds visibly fatigued. After the match, Iraola did not shy away from admitting a lack of freshness across the pitch. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" allowed by Premier League regulations, emphasizing that the club must adapt quickly to such congested timetables.
The upcoming schedule underscores the intensity of the task ahead: a home game against Manchester City immediately after the international break, followed by a Champions League trip to LASK Linz in Austria, and then an away fixture at Brentford within a 72‑hour window. October’s calendar continues with a heavyweight encounter with Arsenal, a mid‑week journey to face Fenerbahçe, and later a trip to Crystal Palace.
November adds a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches with Manchester United and Everton. This relentless rhythm is the reality for any top‑level side, and Iraola’s biggest question mark is how his players will adjust to a high‑intensity, high‑pressing system while maintaining consistency. During preseason, Iraola warned that his tactics would demand players to act differently, especially when out of possession. He cited Alexander Isak’s comments after a friendly against Monaco, noting that the entire squad was working hard to make the new approach work.
The Fulham game served as the first true test of this philosophy. After a grueling Champions League night where Liverpool had to overturn a deficit, the team was expected to dictate the tempo against a low‑ranking opponent.
Instead, the Reds appeared sluggish in the first half, arriving late to press and allowing Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno to distribute the ball easily, which in turn relieved pressure on the visitors and gave them space to exploit gaps. Iraola’s post‑match analysis highlighted the pressing issue: "We were late to the presses, especially in the first half." Although halftime adjustments were made, the problem persisted.
Liverpool’s traditional split‑team shape—defenders sitting deep while attackers press high—created moments where Fulham’s forwards, such as Josh King, found unexpected pockets of space. This defensive‑pressing imbalance allowed Fulham to relieve pressure and launch counter‑attacks, exposing Liverpool’s vulnerability when the press fails.
Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressing‑Per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) figure sits at an impressive 8.6, the lowest recorded so far this season and even better than any full season under Jürgen Klopp. However, against Fulham the PPDA rose above the season average, suggesting the team was not operating at its usual intensity. Despite this, Liverpool leads the Premier League in total sprints and ranks 12 places higher than any other side in distance covered, confirming that the players are indeed running more, sprinting more, and pressing more than their rivals.
The increased physical output is precisely why Iraola was appointed: the club wanted to revive the energetic, pressing style that had become a hallmark of Liverpool football. The real challenge now lies in sustaining that level over consecutive games without compromising effectiveness or increasing injury risk. To manage the workload, Iraola has begun rotating certain positions, giving minutes to wingers, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister. Yet, key players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were asked to start again against Fulham, and they did not match the intensity they displayed just three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, looked uncharacteristically careless with the ball, drawing criticism from fans who feel his reputation should translate into consistent performances. While his work‑rate remains impressive—ranking second in the league for high‑speed distance covered—reliability under a compressed schedule is still in question. Iraola acknowledged that relying on the same eleven every match is unrealistic: "You can field the same players each game, but eventually they will tire, and the risk of injury rises." Injury concerns are amplified by the unavailability of Hugo Ekitike, meaning Liverpool cannot afford to lose another forward such as Isak to fatigue or injury.
Questions arise about whether Isak’s playing style naturally fits a pressing system, and similar doubts linger over the midfield cohort. The manager may need to lean on experienced figures like Wataru Endo or give emerging talent Trey Nyoni more responsibility. Overall, Iraola admits that this period is a learning curve for both him and the squad.
Navigating three matches in a week, especially with high‑press demands, was always the central issue for a coach renowned for his tactical acumen. The Liverpool board, supporters, and players now await concrete solutions: smarter rotation, tailored recovery protocols, and perhaps tactical tweaks that preserve the pressing ethos while allowing periods of controlled possession. As the season progresses, the ability to balance intensity with sustainability will determine whether Iraola’s pressing blueprint can truly flourish at Anfield.