Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges of implementing a relentless pressing system at Liverpool, especially when the squad is asked to play multiple games in quick succession. He noted that some athletes can comfortably handle a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and injury.
"I have to identify who can cope with a tight schedule and who needs a rest to keep their performance steady," he explained, adding that his experience with certain players is limited because they have not yet endured such a congested calendar. The issue became starkly apparent on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a dull draw by Fulham, a side that had lost its first three league games. The midweek Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid in Europe seemed to have taken its toll.
After the match, Iraola admitted that the team’s lack of freshness was obvious. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" allowed under Premier League scheduling rules, but also stressed that the club must learn to manage it. Looking ahead, the fixture list suggests that similar crunch periods are inevitable.
Following the international break, Liverpool face Manchester City at home—a demanding clash—before jetting to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz. Within 72 hours they are expected to travel to Brentford for an away league game. The calendar continues to pile on: a home showdown with Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, then a trip to Crystal Palace, followed by a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches with Manchester United and Everton. This relentless rhythm is the reality for any top‑level side, and it tests the durability of Iraola’s high‑press philosophy.
Iraola’s pre‑season remarks hinted at the difficulty of getting his players to press effectively without the ball. He said, "I am asking them to do things that are a little bit different, especially without the ball, and I think they are trying to get it." Alexander Isak echoed this sentiment after a friendly against Monaco, emphasizing the collective effort required to make the system work. The Fulham match was the first real test of how the two worlds—intense Champions League nights and a rapid domestic turnaround—collide. After a grueling evening in Europe where Liverpool had to come from behind, the team was expected to dictate the tempo against Fulham, but they struggled to maintain the same intensity.
Iraola was forthright in his post‑match analysis, pointing out that Liverpool were "late to the presses" in the first half. Tactical adjustments were made at halftime, yet the problem persisted. One recurring tactical pattern at Liverpool has been a split‑team approach: the back line drops deep while the forwards press high. Against Fulham, this created gaps that allowed players like Josh King to find surprising pockets of space.
When the press failed, Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno was able to distribute the ball easily, removing several Liverpool attackers from the play and exposing the fragility of the system when the players are not fully up to speed. Statistically, Liverpool’s pressing intensity is measured by Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA).
So far this season their PPDA sits at an impressive 8.6, even lower than any full season under Jurgen Klopp. However, against Fulham the figure rose above their average, suggesting that the squad was not operating at its usual pressing tempo. Despite this, Liverpool have logged the most sprints and rank 12th in total distance covered in the Premier League, indicating that the physical output remains high.
Iraola was hired precisely because of his commitment to a high‑energy, pressing style. The club’s leadership wants a return to that brand of football, but the challenge now is to sustain it week in, week out. To mitigate fatigue, Iraola has begun rotating players on the flanks, giving minutes to Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Yet he still relied on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz against Fulham, and neither matched the performance levels they displayed three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, appeared careless with the ball, prompting criticism from supporters who are growing weary of excuses for a player who arrived with a strong reputation. While his work‑rate is undeniable—he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered—his technical execution faltered. This raises the question of whether sheer effort can compensate for lapses in decision‑making. Iraola’s own words reflect the ongoing experiment: "You can put the same players in every game, but eventually they will become tired and the risk of injury rises." With key attackers like Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player such as Isak to fatigue or injury.
The Swedish striker’s suitability as a natural press‑forward is still under scrutiny, as is the role of midfielders like Trey Nyoni and veteran Wataru Endo in providing balance. In summary, Iraola is navigating uncharted waters, trying to blend a high‑pressing philosophy with a congested schedule that forces three games in a week on several occasions. The early signs show that while Liverpool possess the physical capacity to press, consistency remains elusive when recovery time is limited.
The coming months will reveal whether Iraola can fine‑tune his squad rotation, maintain tactical sharpness, and keep injuries at bay while delivering the aggressive, entertaining football that Liverpool fans expect.