Andoni Iraola opened up about the challenges of implementing a relentless pressing system at Liverpool, noting that some squad members can cope with a match every two or three days while others struggle. He said, "There are players who can turn out every three days without any drop in form, and they can handle the workload.
Then there are those for whom the risk of fatigue is higher and their performances suffer." He continued, "I need to identify who can sustain a two‑ or three‑day rhythm and who needs a rest to keep their level up. Some of my ideas work with certain players, but for others it’s new territory because they haven’t been exposed to such a congested schedule before." Iraola’s observations were put to the test 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 with Atletico Madrid in Europe clearly left a mark on the Reds. "We were definitely lacking freshness. You can’t hide that," Iraola admitted after the match. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" permitted under Premier League scheduling rules, but he also recognised that Liverpool will have to learn to manage such scenarios.
"These kinds of fixtures will happen again, sometimes with just a single day’s rest, sometimes with a bit more. The calendar is unforgiving," he warned. A quick glance at the upcoming schedule shows why the issue could become a recurring problem. Right after the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City – a high‑intensity showdown – before jetting to Austria to face LASK Linz in the Champions League.
Within 72 hours they will be on the road again to take on Brentford. - October 11 – Manchester City (home) - October 14 – LASK Linz (away) - October 17 – Brentford (away) The following month brings a heavyweight home clash with Arsenal, followed by a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, then an away game at Crystal Palace. November adds a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between fixtures against Manchester United and Everton.
This relentless cadence illustrates the physical and tactical demands placed on a top‑level side. For Iraola, the big unknown has always been how his players will adapt to a high‑press, high‑intensity style while still delivering consistent results.
"I’m asking them to do things that are slightly different, especially off the ball, and I think they’re beginning to understand," he said during pre‑season. New signing Alexander Isak echoed the sentiment after a friendly against Monaco: "We’re all working hard to make it work." The Fulham game was the first real test of that philosophy under competitive conditions. Liverpool had just fought back to win a draining Champions League night at Anfield, then were expected to dictate the tempo against a side that had already struggled in the league.
Iraola’s post‑match briefing highlighted the problem: "In the first half we were late to the presses," he observed. The team made adjustments at halftime, but the issue lingered. Liverpool’s traditional pattern – a compact defence that sits deep while the attackers press high – has been evident this season. Against Fulham, moments arose when players such as Josh King found unexpected space in the gaps created by an uneven press, allowing the visitors to exploit those zones.
When the press broke down, Fulham keeper Bernd Leno was able to distribute the ball easily, pulling several Liverpool forwards out of the action. It was far from ideal, yet Iraola is unlikely to abandon his pressing ethos. One common metric for measuring pressing intensity is Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA).
Liverpool’s PPDA sits at a striking 8.6 so far this campaign, even lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp. Against Fulham, the figure rose slightly, perhaps reflecting the fatigue Iraola mentioned. Regardless, Liverpool have logged the most sprints in the Premier League this season and sit 12 places ahead in total distance covered.
They are running more, sprinting more, and pressing more – exactly the brand of football that prompted Liverpool’s board to appoint Iraola in the first place. The challenge now is to sustain that intensity week in, week out.
To manage the load, Iraola has begun rotating his wide players, giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes. However, he kept Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz on the pitch against Fulham, and neither matched the output they displayed three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, looked tentative with the ball, prompting some fans to question whether his reputation can survive repeated criticism. Yet his work‑rate remains impressive – he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered – suggesting that stamina could compensate for occasional technical lapses.
Iraola might point to Wirtz as an example of a player who can handle a three‑day turnaround. "You can field the same eleven every game," he conceded, "but there will be moments when they are exhausted, and the injury risk rises." With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Isak to fatigue or injury. Is the Swedish forward naturally suited to a pressing role?
The same question applies to Iraola’s midfield options. Will emerging talent Trey Nyoni earn more minutes, or will veteran Wataru Endo provide the necessary balance? Iraola himself acknowledges that this is a learning curve – he is navigating uncharted territory in terms of fixture congestion and pressing demands. The central query that has haunted supporters since his appointment is how he will manage three games in a week without compromising performance or player health.
The answer will shape Liverpool’s season and determine whether his high‑press philosophy can truly take root at the club.