Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his new pressing philosophy presents for Liverpool. He noted that some athletes can cope with a match every two or three days without a dip in form, while others are more vulnerable and see their output suffer.
"I have to identify who can handle a tight schedule and who needs a rest to keep their level steady," he said, adding that he is still learning which members of the squad belong in each category. Some players are accustomed to a congested calendar, but for many, the intensity of Liverpool's program is a fresh experience.
Iraola’s observations were put to the test on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew 0‑0 with Fulham, a side that had lost its opening three league games. The mid‑week Europa League clash against Atlético Madrid the previous night seemed to leave the Reds fatigued.
After the match, the manager did not mince words: "We were obviously lacking freshness. It showed, and we cannot pretend otherwise." He described the situation as the "worst turnaround" allowed under Premier League scheduling rules, yet he also recognised that Liverpool will have to adapt quickly if they are to compete on multiple fronts. The upcoming fixture list underlines the magnitude of the task. Following the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City—a demanding encounter—before travelling to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz.
Within 72 hours, they will be on the road again to face Brentford. The calendar continues to pile on: a home clash with Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, an away game at Crystal Palace, then a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches against Manchester United and Everton. Such a sequence illustrates the relentless pressure placed on any top‑flight side, and it will be a true test of Iraola’s ability to keep his players both sharp and healthy.
From the outset of his tenure, Iraola has been clear that his system relies heavily on aggressive, high‑intensity pressing, especially when the ball is lost. He told the press during pre‑season that he expects his squad to execute slightly different tasks off the ball, and that the players are already making strides toward that goal. Alexander Isak echoed the sentiment after a friendly with Monaco, saying, "We are all working hard to make it work." The Fulham match was the first real‑world examination of how the two worlds—Champions League fatigue and domestic pressing—collide.
Liverpool had to recover from a comeback win in Europe the night before, then immediately impose a high‑tempo game plan against a well‑organised Fulham side. Iraola’s post‑match analysis was brutally honest: "In the first half we were late to the presses," he admitted, noting that the team made tactical adjustments at halftime but never fully recovered the desired intensity. A recurring tactical pattern for Liverpool under the new regime has been a split‑team shape: the back line sits deep while the forwards press aggressively.
Against Fulham, this left gaps that allowed players like Josh King to find pockets of space, exposing the vulnerability that arises when the press is not coordinated. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno capitalised on one such lapse, delivering an easy pass that removed several Liverpool attackers from the attack, a scenario far from ideal for a side that prides itself on relentless pressure.
Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressing‑Per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) metric sits at an impressive 8.6, the lowest figure recorded this season and even lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp. However, the number rose slightly in the Fulham game, suggesting that the squad’s tempo was a notch below the usual standard. Despite this, Liverpool currently leads the Premier League in total sprints and ranks 12th for overall distance covered, confirming that the players are indeed running more, sprinting more, and pressing more than most of their rivals. These physical outputs are precisely why Iraola was appointed: the club wanted a return to the high‑energy, pressing style that defined its recent identity.
The real challenge now is to sustain that approach consistently without over‑taxing the squad. To manage fatigue, Iraola has begun rotating his wide players, giving minutes to Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Yet, he still fielded Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz against Fulham, and both fell short of the levels they displayed just three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, appeared tentative with the ball, prompting some fans to question whether his reputation can justify ongoing excuses.
Nevertheless, his work‑rate remains noteworthy—he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered—so his physical contributions may still be valuable in Iraola’s system. The manager himself admitted that the squad can field the same eleven each week, but warned that prolonged fatigue raises injury risks, a concern amplified by the absence of Hugo Ekitike and the need to protect key assets like Isak.
Isak, a Swedish striker, fits the profile of a pressing forward, yet his natural game may differ from the relentless harassers Iraola favours. Similar questions arise for midfielders: should Iraola place more trust in the seasoned Wataru Endo or give a chance to the promising Trey Nyoni? These decisions will shape how effectively Liverpool can execute their high‑press across a grueling schedule.
Ultimately, Iraola acknowledges that this is a learning curve for both him and the club. Navigating three games in a single week has always been the pivotal question for a coach of his calibre, and now the answers must be found on the training ground and in the matchday squad. As the season unfolds, Liverpool’s ability to blend fresh legs, tactical discipline, and relentless pressing will determine whether Iraola’s philosophy can thrive in the demanding environment of English football.