Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his new pressing philosophy presents for Liverpool. He noted that some athletes can comfortably handle matches every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and performance drops. "We have to identify who can cope with a tight schedule and who needs a rest to keep their level steady," he said, acknowledging that the squad is still learning how to balance intensity with recovery, especially for players who have not been accustomed to 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 clash against Atlético Madrid in Europe seemed to have taken its toll. After the match, Iraola admitted the lack of freshness was obvious: "We cannot hide the fact that the players were not as crisp as we would like.
It is the worst turnaround allowed by Premier League rules, but we have to adapt." He warned that similar scheduling crunches will recur throughout the season, sometimes with only a single day of rest between fixtures. A quick glance at Liverpool's upcoming program underlines the intensity of the challenge.
After the international break, the Reds host Manchester City on October 11, travel to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz on October 14, and then head to Brentford for an away Premier League match on October 17—all within a ten‑day span. The calendar continues to stack up: a home showdown with Arsenal, a midweek trip to Fenerbahçe, a return leg against Crystal Palace, and later a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between games against Manchester United and Everton. Such a schedule tests the limits of any top‑level side, and for Iraola the crucial unknown has always been how his squad will respond to a high‑press, high‑intensity system while still delivering consistent results. In pre‑season, he explained that he is asking his players to perform tasks that differ from what they are used to, especially when the ball is out of possession.
Alexander Isak, after a friendly against Monaco, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We are all working hard to make the new style work." The Fulham match was the first real test of the theory when the two worlds collided. Liverpool had just endured a draining Champions League night, where they had to come from behind to secure victory, and then were expected to dictate the tempo against a side that had been struggling in the league.
Iraola’s post‑match analysis was blunt: "In the first half we were late to the press," he admitted, noting that the team made tactical tweaks at halftime but never fully recovered the desired intensity. Liverpool’s traditional pattern of a compact defence coupled with a high‑pressing front line has been a hallmark of their recent play. Against Fulham, however, gaps appeared, allowing players like Josh King to find surprising pockets of space. When Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno managed to play a simple pass out of danger, several Liverpool attackers were caught out of position, highlighting the risk inherent in a system that relies on coordinated pressing.
Statistically, Liverpool’s pressing metrics are impressive. Their Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA) sits at 8.6, the lowest figure recorded this season and even better than any full season under Jürgen Klopp. While the PPDA rose slightly against Fulham—perhaps a sign that the players were not at their usual tempo—the club still leads the Premier League in total sprints and ranks 12th for overall distance covered. This data underscores the physical demands placed on the squad and why Iraola was hired: to restore a brand of football built on relentless movement and pressure.
To manage fatigue, Iraola has begun rotating personnel. He has experimented with rotating wingers and midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while still relying on key figures like Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz.
Unfortunately, both Szoboszlai and Wirtz appeared subdued against Fulham, failing to match the levels they displayed just three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, showed a lack of composure on the ball, prompting criticism from fans who are growing weary of excuses for a player who arrived with a strong reputation.
Yet his work‑rate remains a silver lining; he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, suggesting he could be one of the players Iraola identifies as capable of handling a three‑day turnaround. Iraola acknowledged the risk of over‑using the same core group: "You can field the same eleven every game, but eventually they will tire and the injury risk rises." With forward Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Alexander Isak to fatigue, especially if his natural game does not align with a pressing forward’s demands. The same question applies to the midfield: should veteran Wataru Endo be trusted to provide stability, or will younger options like Trey Nyoni step up? Overall, Iraola’s tenure at Liverpool is a learning curve for both manager and squad.
The pressing style he champions offers excitement and can dominate opponents, but it also requires careful squad management, strategic rotation, and a deep understanding of each player’s recovery capacity. As the season progresses, the true test will be whether Liverpool can sustain this high‑intensity approach without compromising results or player health.
The answers will shape not only Iraola’s legacy at the club but also the future tactical identity of one of England’s biggest teams.