Andoni Iraola opened up about the challenges of implementing a relentless pressing system at Liverpool, noting that some players can cope with a match every two or three days while others struggle. "There are players who play every three days and have no issues, they can accept it and performances do not change too much," he said, before adding that a different group faces a higher risk of fatigue and a dip in form. Iraola stressed that his job is to identify who can sustain such a tempo and who needs more recovery time.
He admitted that, for many of his squad, the schedule is a new experience because they have not been accustomed to such a congested calendar. The reality of those statements became clear on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew 0-0 with a Fulham side that had lost its first three league games. The mid‑week Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid the previous night had clearly taken its toll. After the match, Iraola was blunt: "A lack of freshness, definitely.
We cannot hide it." He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" allowed by Premier League regulations, acknowledging that Liverpool will have to learn to manage it better. Looking ahead, the fixture list confirms that such tight turnarounds are not a one‑off. Following the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City, then travel to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz, and within 72 hours are back in England to face Brentford. In October the pattern repeats: a home showdown with Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, then an away game at Crystal Palace.
November brings a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches with Manchester United and Everton. This relentless schedule illustrates the pressures placed on a top‑level side and underscores the core question for Iraola: can his squad maintain the high‑intensity, hard‑running style he favors without compromising performance or risking injury? Iraola has been clear that he is asking his players to adopt slightly different habits, especially when the ball is not in their possession. In pre‑season he explained, "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 that sentiment after a friendly against Monaco, saying, "We are all working hard to make things work." The Fulham game was the first real test of how the two worlds – a draining European night and a demanding Premier League fixture – would collide.
In the post‑match press conference, Iraola identified the main issue: the team was late to the first press in the opening half. Although tactical tweaks were made at halftime, the problem persisted.
Liverpool have traditionally displayed a split‑team dynamic, with the back line sitting deep while the forwards press high. Against Fulham, this left gaps that allowed players like Josh King to find unexpected space. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno managed a simple pass out of danger, several Liverpool attackers were caught out, highlighting the risk of an uncoordinated press.
Statistically, Liverpool’s pressing intensity is measured by Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA). So far this season their PPDA sits at 8.6, a figure lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp, indicating an aggressive approach. However, against Fulham the PPDA rose above the season average, suggesting the squad was not operating at its usual tempo.
Despite that, Liverpool have logged the most sprints in the Premier League and rank 12th for total distance covered, confirming that the physical output remains high. The challenge now is to translate that raw work rate into consistent, effective pressing. Iraola has begun rotating his wide players, giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying on the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. The latter struggled against Fulham, showing sloppy ball handling and failing to reach the intensity displayed three days earlier.
Some fans are growing impatient with Wirtz, who, despite ranking second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, has yet to justify his reputation with decisive performances. Iraola acknowledges that the solution may lie in identifying the true "three‑day" players. He admitted, "You can put the same players in every game, but the problem is there will be a moment they are very tired and there is more risk of injury." With striker Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a key forward like Isak to fatigue or injury. Questions also arise about whether Isak fits the mold of a natural pressing striker, and whether midfielders such as Trey Nyoni or veteran Wataru Endo can provide the necessary balance.
In summary, Iraola’s tenure at Liverpool is still in its infancy, and the learning curve is steep. The manager must juggle rotation, recovery, and tactical nuance while preserving the high‑press identity that the club’s supporters expect. The upcoming weeks, packed with domestic and European commitments, will serve as a litmus test for his philosophy.
If he can pinpoint which squad members thrive on a three‑day rotation and devise a rotation system that minimizes fatigue, Liverpool may well re‑establish the relentless, forward‑pressing brand of football that defined their recent successes. Until then, the answer to whether Iraola’s pressing game will work at Liverpool remains an open, evolving discussion.