Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy presents for a squad that now faces a grueling schedule at Liverpool. He noted that some athletes can comfortably turn out every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and consequently see a decline in their output.
"I have to identify who can handle a game every two or three days and who needs a rest to keep their performance steady," he said, adding that the club is still learning which players fit each category, especially those who have not experienced such a congested fixture list before. The issue became starkly apparent on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a lacklustre draw by Fulham, a side that had lost its opening three Premier League matches. The mid‑week Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in Europe seemed to have taken its toll, and the fatigue was evident.
"There is a clear lack of freshness, we cannot hide it," Iraola admitted in the post‑match press conference. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" permitted under the Premier League’s scheduling rules, but also stressed that the team must adapt quickly because such scenarios will recur throughout the season.
Looking ahead, the calendar offers little respite. After the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City – a demanding encounter – before jetting off to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz.
Within 72 hours of that away game, they travel to Brentford. The sequence continues with a home showdown against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, a league visit to Crystal Palace, and later a Champions League fixture against Club Brugge sandwiched between matches with Manchester United and Everton. This relentless rhythm exemplifies the pressures placed on a top‑flight side and tests Iraola’s ability to maintain his high‑press system without compromising player health.
Iraola’s philosophy hinges on an aggressive, high‑intensity press that begins the moment the ball is lost, especially when the team is out of possession. He explained during pre‑season that he is asking his players to execute slightly different tasks, particularly in the defensive phases, and that they are beginning to understand the requirements. Alexander Isak, after a friendly against Monaco, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We are all working hard to make it work." The Fulham game served as the first real test of how the two worlds – a taxing European night followed by a domestic fixture – intersect. Liverpool had to come from behind to secure a win in the Champions League, then immediately needed to impose a fast‑paced press against Fulham.
Iraola observed that the team arrived late to the first press in the opening half, a problem that persisted despite tactical adjustments at halftime. The typical pattern of Liverpool’s defense sitting deep while the attackers press high was evident, but gaps appeared that allowed Fulham’s Josh King and others to find space. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno collected a loose ball, he quickly released it, removing several Liverpool forwards from the attack and highlighting the risk of an uncoordinated press.
Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressing‑per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) figure stands at an impressive 8.6, the lowest recorded this season and even lower than any full campaign under Jürgen Klopp. Against Fulham, the PPDA rose slightly, suggesting the squad was not operating at its usual tempo. Nevertheless, Liverpool currently leads the Premier League in total sprints and ranks 12th for overall distance covered, confirming that the team is indeed running more, sprinting more, and pressing more than most rivals.
Iraola’s mandate was to reinvigorate Liverpool’s style of play with this relentless energy, but the real test lies in sustaining it week after week. He has begun rotating wingers and midfielders, giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. Both players appeared less sharp against Fulham than they did just three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, displayed a lack of composure on the ball, prompting criticism from fans who are growing weary of excuses for a high‑profile signing.
Yet his work‑rate remains noteworthy; he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, indicating that his physical contribution could offset occasional technical lapses. The broader question remains: can Liverpool field the same eleven in three consecutive games without risking injury or a dip in quality?
Iraola conceded that while it is possible to rotate the same core group, fatigue will inevitably set in, increasing the likelihood of injuries. With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Isak to exhaustion, especially if his natural game does not align with the pressing demands.
Similar concerns apply to the midfield, where veteran Wataru Endo could provide stability, and younger talents such as Trey Nyoni might need to step up. In summary, Iraola is navigating uncharted territory at Liverpool, balancing an aggressive pressing identity with the practicalities of a congested schedule. The upcoming weeks will reveal whether his squad can adapt to playing three games in a short span while preserving the intensity that defines his approach. The answer will shape Liverpool’s season and determine if Iraola’s pressing blueprint can truly flourish at Anfield.