Andoni Iraola opened the post‑match interview by noting that some players can handle a match every two or three days without any noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable and see their performances suffer. He said, "There are players who play every three days and have no issues, they can accept it and performances do not change too much. Then there are other players where the risk is bigger and the performances are different." He added that part of his job is to identify which squad members can sustain a high‑intensity schedule and which need a rest day to keep their level steady. "I have to learn who is ready to play every two or three days and who is ready to rest so their performance level doesn't drop," he explained, acknowledging that the learning curve is steep because many of his players have not been subjected to such a congested calendar before.
The practical test of Iraola's theory arrived on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew 0‑0 with Fulham, a side that had lost its first three league games. The result felt disappointing, especially after a grueling mid‑week Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. The European fixture clearly left its mark. "A lack of freshness, definitely.
We cannot hide it," Iraola admitted in the press conference. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" allowed under Premier League scheduling rules, but he also recognised that Liverpool must adapt quickly if they are to compete on multiple fronts.
Looking ahead, the fixture list underscores the challenge. After the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City – a match that will test the squad’s stamina – before travelling to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz. Within 72 hours of that trip, they are scheduled to play Brentford away. The sequence continues with a home clash against Arsenal, a mid‑week visit to Fenerbahçe, then an away game at Crystal Palace, followed by a November itinerary that pits them against Club Brugge, Manchester United and Everton in rapid succession.
Such a timetable is typical for a top‑level club, but it puts a premium on squad rotation and on players who can sustain a high‑pressing style without burning out. Iraola’s philosophy centres on an aggressive, high‑press system that demands intense work off the ball. He told the media before the season that he expects his players to do "things that are a little bit different, especially without the ball," and that they are "trying to get it." Alexander Isak, after a pre‑season friendly against Monaco, echoed the sentiment: "We are all working hard to make things work." The Fulham game was the first real‑world assessment of how the two worlds – a taxing Champions League night and a demanding league fixture – would collide.
Liverpool had to recover from a deficit against Atletico, then immediately switch to a pressing mindset against Fulham, and the fatigue was evident. Iraola was candid about the shortcomings.
"Especially in the first half, we were arriving late to the presses," he said, noting that tactical tweaks at halftime only partially solved the issue. Liverpool’s defensive line tended to sit deep while the forwards pressed, creating gaps that Fulham’s Josh King and others exploited. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno found an easy outlet, Liverpool lost several attacking options in the transition, a scenario Iraola is unlikely to tolerate in the long term. Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressing‑Per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) sits at 8.6, the lowest figure recorded this season and even better than any full season under Jurgen Klopp.
Against Fulham the number rose slightly, suggesting the team was not operating at its usual tempo. Nevertheless, Liverpool leads the Premier League in total sprints and ranks 12 places higher than any rival in distance covered, confirming that the physical output remains impressive. The manager has already begun to tweak the rotation policy. He is experimenting with rotating wingers and midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, who both featured against Fulham but did not match the intensity they displayed three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, appeared sloppy with the ball, prompting criticism from some supporters who feel the player’s reputation should not excuse sub‑par performances. Yet his work‑rate remains a valuable asset; he is second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, indicating that he could be one of the players Iraola identifies as capable of handling a three‑day turnaround. Iraola also warned that over‑using the same eleven could increase injury risk.
"You can put the same players in every game," he conceded, "but the problem is there will be a moment they are very tired and there is more risk of injury." With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose key forwards like Isak to fatigue or injury, especially if their natural style does not align perfectly with a pressing system. The same question applies to midfield stalwarts; should the club place more trust in veteran Wataru Endo or give younger talents like Trey Nyoni more responsibility? In summary, Iraola acknowledges that he is navigating uncharted territory.
The central issue for the Liverpool boss is to discover which players can sustain a high‑press every two or three days, how to rotate the squad without compromising the tactical identity, and how to manage the inevitable fatigue that comes with competing on domestic and European fronts. The Fulham draw may have been a setback, but it also provided a clear diagnostic of the challenges ahead. As the season progresses, Iraola’s ability to fine‑tune his rotation policy, maintain pressing intensity, and keep injury levels low will determine whether his high‑press philosophy can truly flourish at Liverpool.