Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy poses for Liverpool’s congested schedule. 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 to fatigue and injury.
"I have to identify which players can sustain a three‑day rhythm and which need a longer recovery period," he explained, adding that the current squad includes a mix of seasoned professionals and newcomers still adapting to the rigors of English football. The issue became starkly apparent on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a lacklustre draw by Fulham, a side that had already lost its opening three league games.
The mid‑week Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid in Spain seemed to sap the Reds’ energy, leaving the pressing game noticeably blunted. After the match, Iraola admitted, "We lacked freshness – you can’t hide that. It was the worst turnaround we’ve had under the Premier League’s scheduling rules, and we’ll have to learn to cope with it." Looking ahead, the fixture list underscores how demanding the calendar will be.
Following the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City on October 11, travel to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz on October 14, and then face Brentford away on October 17 – three games in just eight days. The pattern repeats in November with a home clash against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and a Premier League visit to Crystal Palace, before a November stint that sees them travel to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches with Manchester United and Everton. Such a schedule tests any manager’s squad‑rotation plan, especially one built around a high‑intensity press. Iraola’s core belief is that his side must press aggressively both with and without the ball.
He told the press during pre‑season that he expects his players to adopt slightly different responsibilities, particularly in defensive phases, and that they are already showing signs of adapting. Alexander Isak echoed this sentiment after a friendly against Monaco, saying, "We’re all working hard to make it work." The Fulham game was the first real test of how the team copes when a demanding European night is followed by a domestic fixture that requires them to dictate the tempo.
Liverpool had to come from behind to win in the Champions League, then immediately switch to a pressing style against a well‑organized Fulham side. Iraola observed after the match that the team arrived late to the first‑half presses, a problem that persisted despite tactical tweaks at halftime.
The result was a split‑team appearance: the back line fell back while the forwards pressed, leaving gaps that Fulham’s striker Josh King and his teammates exploited. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno found space to play a simple pass, several Liverpool attackers were caught out, highlighting the risks of an over‑committed press. Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressing‑Per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) figure sits at an impressive 8.6, the lowest in the league so far and even lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp. Against Fulham, the number rose slightly, suggesting the players were not at their usual intensity.
Nevertheless, the team has logged the most sprints and ranks 12th overall for total distance covered, confirming that the physical output remains high. Iraola’s mandate was to revive the high‑energy, high‑press brand of football that many fans associate with Liverpool’s recent successes. The real test now is whether the squad can sustain that approach week after week without compromising results or increasing injury risk.
To manage fatigue, Iraola has begun rotating wingers and midfielders, giving playing time to Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister while also relying on the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. However, both Szoboszlai and Wirtz appeared less sharp against Fulham than they did just three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, was sloppy with his ball control, prompting some supporters to question whether his reputation can justify repeated excuses. Despite the criticism, Wirtz’s work‑rate remains among the league’s best; he ranks second for high‑speed distance covered. This attribute could make him a candidate for Iraola’s search for players who can thrive on a three‑day rotation. Iraola himself admitted, "You can field the same players every game, but eventually they get tired and the injury risk rises." The situation is further complicated by the unavailability of Hugo Ekitike, meaning Liverpool cannot afford to lose a key forward like Isak to fatigue or injury.
Questions arise about whether Isak, a Swedish striker known more for his finishing than his pressing, fits Iraola’s system. Similar doubts apply to the midfield, where the manager must decide whether to trust emerging talent Trey Nyoni or rely on the experience of Wataru Endo to balance the press.
Overall, Iraola acknowledges that this period is a learning curve for both him and the squad. The central dilemma—how to navigate three games in a week while maintaining a high‑pressing identity—has always been the biggest test for a coach of his calibre.
As the season progresses, the Liverpool hierarchy will watch closely to see if Iraola can fine‑tune his rotation policy, keep the press sharp, and avoid the pitfalls of fatigue and injury. The answers he discovers now will shape Liverpool’s style and success for the rest of the campaign.