Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy presents for Liverpool. He noted that some squad members can cope with a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others struggle and risk a decline in performance.
"I have to learn who can handle a tight schedule and who needs more recovery time," he said, acknowledging that the balance is still being worked out, especially for players who have not been accustomed to such a congested calendar. The issue became evident on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a lacklustre draw by Fulham, a side that had already lost its first three league games. The mid‑week Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in Europe appeared to have taken its toll. After the match, Iraola admitted that the team suffered from a clear lack of freshness and that the fatigue was impossible to hide.
He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" allowed under Premier League scheduling rules, but stressed that Liverpool must adapt quickly. Looking ahead, the fixture list underscores how demanding life at a top club can be.
Following the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City – a high‑intensity Premier League test – before heading to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz. Within 72 hours they will be back on the road to face Brentford. The schedule continues with a home showdown against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and further league games against Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Everton, interspersed with European fixtures against Club Brugge.
This relentless rhythm will force Iraola to constantly evaluate which players can sustain the press over short recovery periods. During pre‑season, Iraola emphasized that his approach demands more than just ball‑winning; it requires relentless movement off the ball, especially in the defensive third.
He recalled Alexander Isak’s comments after the friendly with Monaco, noting that the entire squad is working hard to make the system function. The first real test of this philosophy arrived against Fulham, where a draining Champions League night was followed by a domestic match that required Liverpool to dictate the tempo. In the post‑match press conference, Iraola was transparent about the shortcomings.
He pointed out that Liverpool were late to the first press in the opening half, a problem that persisted despite tactical adjustments at halftime. The team's traditional split‑shape – a compact defence that presses high while the forwards stay forward – occasionally broke down, allowing Fulham’s striker Josh King and others to find pockets of space. When Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno recovered the ball and released it quickly, Liverpool’s forwards were caught out, highlighting the risk of an uncoordinated press.
Statistically, Liverpool’s pressing intensity is reflected in their Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA), which currently sits at 8.6 – lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp, albeit based on a small sample size. Against Fulham, the PPDA rose slightly, suggesting the team was not as sharp as usual. Nevertheless, Liverpool lead the league in total sprints and rank 12th for distance covered, confirming that the physical output remains high. Iraola’s mandate was to revive the high‑energy, high‑press brand of football that fans associate with Liverpool.
The challenge now is to sustain that intensity without compromising player health. To manage fatigue, he has begun rotating wide players, giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz.
Both struggled to replicate their three‑day‑ahead performances against Fulham, with Wirtz in particular appearing sloppy with the ball. Critics are beginning to question whether reputation alone can excuse sub‑par displays, even though Wirtz ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered. Iraola admitted that the squad cannot simply field the same eleven every game. "You can put the same players in every match," he conceded, "but eventually they will become exhausted and the injury risk rises." With striker Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a key forward like Isak to fatigue, especially if his natural game does not align with a pressing forward’s demands.
Similar doubts arise for midfielders, prompting speculation about whether veteran Wataru Endo or emerging talent Trey Nyoni might provide the necessary balance. In summary, Iraola is navigating uncharted territory, trying to blend a high‑pressing, high‑tempo style with the realities of a packed schedule. The crucial question remains: can Liverpool maintain this aggressive approach across three games in a week without sacrificing results or player welfare?
The answer will shape the club’s season and determine whether Iraola’s philosophy can truly take root at Anfield.