Andoni Iraola opened the post‑match interview by noting that some athletes can cope with a game every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others struggle and see their performances suffer. He explained that his job now is to identify which members of the squad can handle a tight schedule and which need more recovery time to maintain their level. "I have a few ideas about certain players, but for many it’s still new territory because they haven’t been asked to play so many matches in such a short span," he said.
The truth of his statement became evident on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a dull draw by a Fulham side that had lost its opening three league games. The mid‑week Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid the previous night clearly took its toll.
After the final whistle, Iraola admitted that the team’s lack of freshness was obvious. "We cannot hide the fact that we were not as sharp as we should have been," he asserted, describing the situation as the "worst turnaround" permitted under Premier League scheduling rules. He added that Liverpool will have to learn to manage such scenarios, as they are likely to recur throughout the season, sometimes with only a single day between fixtures. A quick glance at Liverpool’s upcoming calendar underlines the intensity of the challenge.
Following the international break, the Reds host Manchester City in a high‑stakes Premier League encounter, then travel to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz, and within 72 hours are back on English soil to face Brentford away. The schedule continues with a home game against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, another league outing at Crystal Palace, and later a European night in Belgium against Club Brugge sandwiched between matches versus Manchester United and Everton.
This relentless rhythm epitomises the demands placed on a top‑flight side. Iraola’s biggest unknown has always been how his players will adapt to his preferred, high‑intensity pressing style while still delivering quality football.
In pre‑season he warned that he would ask his squad to perform tasks that differ from what they are used to, especially when the ball is not in their possession. Alexander Isak echoed the sentiment after a friendly with Monaco, saying, "We are all working hard to make it work." The Fulham game was the first real test of that philosophy under competitive conditions. After a grueling Champions League night in which Liverpool came from behind to win, the team had to switch gears and dictate a faster tempo against a side that, despite its poor start to the league, were well‑organised defensively.
Iraola was candid in his post‑match analysis, pointing out that Liverpool arrived late to the press in the first half, which forced the manager to make tactical tweaks at halftime that only partially solved the issue. A recurring problem for Liverpool this season has been the split‑team effect: the back line drops deep while the forwards press high, leaving gaps in the middle third. Against Fulham, players such as Josh King exploited those spaces, creating opportunities that Liverpool struggled to close down. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno managed a simple clearance, several Liverpool attackers were caught out of position, highlighting the risk of an overly aggressive press when the squad is not fully recovered.
Statistically, Liverpool’s pressing intensity is measured by Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA). So far this campaign the team’s PPDA sits at an impressive 8.6, lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp.
However, against Fulham the figure rose above the season average, suggesting the players were not operating at their usual tempo. Despite that, Liverpool have already logged the most sprints and rank 12th for total distance covered in the Premier League, confirming that the physical work rate remains high. The manager’s mandate was to re‑introduce a brand of football built on relentless movement, pressing, and quick transitions.
The challenge now is to sustain that intensity without compromising effectiveness or risking injuries. To keep players fresh, Iraola has begun rotating the wide men, as well as midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Nevertheless, he persisted with Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz against Fulham, and neither matched the sharpness they displayed just three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, looked uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball, prompting criticism from supporters who feel the German’s reputation should not excuse sub‑par displays. Yet his work‑rate remains a plus; he is currently second in the league for distance covered at high speed, a metric that could earn him a place among the players Iraola deems capable of handling three‑day turnarounds. "You can field the same eleven every game," Iraola admitted, "but eventually fatigue sets in and the injury risk rises." With striker Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Isak to exhaustion. Questions arise about whether the Swedish forward naturally fits a pressing system, and similar doubts linger over some of Iraola’s midfield options.
The manager may need to rely more on seasoned campaigners such as Wataru Endo or give a chance to emerging talent Trey Nyoni to balance the workload. Iraola acknowledges that this period is a learning curve for both him and his squad, venturing into uncharted territory where three matches in a single week become the norm rather than the exception. The central issue for the Liverpool boss now is to discover a sustainable formula that blends his high‑pressing philosophy with the practicalities of a congested schedule, ensuring the team remains competitive on all fronts while safeguarding player health. The season will reveal whether his approach can be fine‑tuned to meet the relentless demands of modern top‑level football.