Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his new pressing philosophy presents for Liverpool. He noted that some athletes can comfortably handle a match every two or three days without a dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and injury. "I have to discover which players can cope with a tight schedule and which need a rest to keep their performance steady," he said, acknowledging that the learning curve is steep for both the squad and the coaching staff.
The issue became evident on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a lacklustre draw by Fulham, a side that had already lost its first three league fixtures. The mid‑week Europa League clash against Atletico Madrid in London seemed to have taken its toll, leaving the Reds visibly sluggish. Iraola admitted after the game that the team suffered from a "lack of freshness" and that the situation was "the worst turnaround" allowed under Premier League scheduling rules. He warned that such congested periods will recur throughout the campaign, sometimes with only a single day of recovery between matches.
A quick glance at Liverpool's upcoming calendar underlines the intensity of the schedule. After the international break, the squad faces Manchester City at home, then travels to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz, and is back on the road three days later to meet Brentford.
In October the pattern repeats: a high‑stakes home game against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, followed by an away fixture at Crystal Palace. November brings a similar sequence with a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches against Manchester United and Everton.
The sheer frequency of high‑intensity fixtures tests the limits of any manager’s rotation policy. Iraola's core belief is that Liverpool must embrace a hard‑working, high‑pressing style to regain the identity that many fans associate with the club. He told the press during pre‑season that he expects his players to perform differently, especially when out of possession, and that they are already showing signs of adaptation.
Alexander Isak, after a friendly against Monaco, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We are all working hard to make things work." The Fulham match was the first true test of how the team copes when a demanding Champions League night is followed by a Premier League fixture that requires sustained pressure. Iraola observed that Liverpool were "late to the presses" in the first half, a problem that persisted despite tactical tweaks at halftime.
The Reds often split into two units – a deep‑lying defence and a forward line that pressed high – which left gaps for Fulham's attackers like Josh King to exploit. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno found an easy outlet, several Liverpool forwards were forced off the pitch, highlighting the risk of over‑committing to the press. Statistically, Liverpool's pressing intensity is measured by Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA).
So far this season the team records a PPDA of 8.6, an even lower figure than any full season under Jürgen Klopp, indicating an aggressive approach. However, against Fulham the PPDA rose above the season average, suggesting that the players were not operating at their usual tempo.
Despite this, Liverpool have logged the most sprints in the Premier League and sit 12 places ahead of the league average in total distance covered, underscoring the physical demands placed on the squad. To manage these demands, Iraola has begun rotating personnel, especially on the wings.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have been given more minutes, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were selected again against Fulham despite not matching the intensity they displayed three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, appeared tentative with the ball, prompting criticism from supporters who question whether his reputation justifies continued selection. Nevertheless, his work‑rate remains impressive – he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered – and Iraola may view him as a candidate for the "every‑three‑days" group. Iraola also warned that relying on a single set of players could increase injury risk.
"You can put the same players in every game," he conceded, "but eventually they will become exhausted and the chance of injury rises." With key forward Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose another striker such as Isak to fatigue. The Swedish forward's suitability as a pressing striker remains under scrutiny, as does the role of midfielders like Trey Nyoni and veteran Wataru Endo, who could provide stability when the team rotates.
The broader picture is that Iraola is navigating uncharted territory. The question of how to handle three matches in a week has always loomed over his tenure, and the early signs suggest a steep learning curve.
The manager must balance the desire for an aggressive, high‑pressing identity with the practicalities of player recovery, squad depth, and injury prevention. As the season progresses, Liverpool's ability to sustain this style will hinge on effective rotation, tactical flexibility, and perhaps most importantly, a clear understanding of which individuals can thrive on a three‑day turnaround.
In summary, Iraola's pressing game has shown promise but also exposed vulnerabilities when fixtures pile up. The upcoming schedule will be a crucible for his ideas, forcing him to refine rotation policies, manage player workloads, and maintain the intensity that defines Liverpool's brand of football.
Only time will tell if his approach can be consistently applied without compromising results or player health.