Andoni Iraola opened the post‑match press conference by noting that some players can handle a three‑day turnaround without any noticeable dip in form, while others struggle and see their performances suffer. He explained that his job now is to identify which squad members can sustain a high‑press schedule every two or three days and which need a longer rest to avoid a drop in output. "I have a few ideas about a handful of players, but for many it’s still uncharted territory because they haven’t been subjected to such a congested calendar before," he said.
The reality of those words became evident on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew 0‑0 with Fulham, a side that had lost its first three league games. The mid‑week Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid the previous night clearly took its toll. After the match, Iraola admitted, "There was a noticeable lack of freshness – we can’t hide that.
It’s the worst possible turnaround allowed by Premier League rules, and we’ll have to learn to cope with it." He warned that such tight scheduling will recur throughout the season, sometimes with only a single day between fixtures. A quick glance at Liverpool’s upcoming calendar underlines the challenge.
Immediately after the international break, the Reds host Manchester City, then travel to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz, and within 72 hours find themselves on the road at Brentford. The October schedule reads: - 11 Oct – Manchester City (home) - 14 Oct – LASK Linz (away) - 17 Oct – Brentford (away) November is equally demanding, with a home showdown against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and then an away game at Crystal Palace. Later in the month a visit to Club Brugge is squeezed between matches with Manchester United and Everton.
This relentless rhythm epitomises the pressures faced by a top‑flight side competing on several fronts. Iraola’s biggest unknown has always been how his players will adapt to his brand of high‑intensity pressing, especially when the ball is lost. In pre‑season he told the media, "I’m asking them to do things that are a little different, particularly off the ball, and I think they’re starting to understand." Alexander Isak echoed that sentiment after the friendly against Monaco: "We’re all working hard to make it work." The Fulham game was the first real test of that philosophy under the strain of a draining Champions League night. Liverpool had to come from behind to win in Europe, then immediately switched to a more aggressive, press‑oriented approach against Fulham.
Iraola was candid after the match, saying, "In the first half we arrived late to the presses. We made adjustments at the break, but the problem wasn’t fully solved." Liverpool’s typical pattern of a compact defence with the front line pressing high was evident, but against Fulham there were moments when the press collapsed, giving the visitors space between the lines.
Goalkeeper Bernd Leno capitalised on a mis‑timed press, delivering an easy pass that removed several Liverpool attackers from the play. While the error was not ideal, Iraola is unlikely to abandon the pressing system altogether. Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressures Per Defensive Action (PPDA) sits at 8.6 so far this season – a figure lower than any full‑season average under Jürgen Klopp. Against Fulham the number rose slightly, suggesting the team was a touch slower than usual, yet they still lead the league in total sprints and rank 12th for distance covered.
The data confirms that the side is running more, sprinting more, and pressing more than any other Premier League outfit at this stage. That intensity is precisely why Iraola was recruited. The board wanted a return to a proactive, high‑energy style, and the manager now faces the task of delivering it consistently, even when fatigue sets in. To mitigate exhaustion, he has begun rotating certain positions.
Wingers, as well as midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, are being shuffled to keep legs fresh. However, key players such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were asked to start again against Fulham, and neither matched the sharpness they displayed three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, looked sloppy with the ball, prompting criticism from some supporters who feel his reputation should not be a blanket excuse for a sub‑par performance. Yet his work‑rate remains impressive – he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered – and Iraola may cite him as an example of a player capable of handling three‑day turnarounds.
"You can field the same eleven each game," Iraola conceded, "but eventually they’ll 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 forward like Isak to fatigue or injury. Questions arise about whether the Swedish striker naturally fits a pressing system, and similar doubts linger over certain midfield options. Trusting experienced figures such as Wataru Endo or giving younger talent like Trey Nyoni a chance could become part of the solution. In summary, Iraola acknowledges that this is a learning curve for both himself and his squad.
The central challenge remains: can Liverpool sustain a three‑games‑in‑a‑week rhythm without compromising the high‑press identity that the club’s fans cherish? The answer will shape the rest of the season, as the manager experiments with rotation, monitors player freshness, and refines tactical instructions to keep the intensity high while minimizing injury risk. The journey has just begun, and every upcoming fixture will serve as a further test of Iraola’s pressing philosophy at Liverpool.