Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy presents for a squad that now faces a congested calendar at Liverpool. He noted that some individuals can handle a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and a decline in performance. "You have players who can play every three days and it doesn't affect them much," he said, "but there are others where the risk is bigger and the output changes." He went on to explain that part of his job is to identify which members of the group can sustain such a rhythm and which need more recovery time to keep their standards high.
"I have to learn who can handle a game every two or three days and who needs a rest to avoid a drop in quality," Iraola added, acknowledging that some of his ideas are untested at Liverpool because several of the squad members have not been subjected to such a demanding schedule before. The issue became starkly apparent on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a lacklustre draw by Fulham, a side that had lost its first three league fixtures.
The mid‑week Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid in Europe the previous weekend had clearly taken its toll. After the match, Iraola admitted that the team suffered from a noticeable lack of freshness. "We cannot hide the fact that we were not as fresh as we should have been," he said, describing the situation as the "worst turnaround" in terms of the recovery time allowed under Premier League rules.
He also warned that such scenarios are likely to recur throughout the season, sometimes with only a single day between games. A quick glance at Liverpool's upcoming schedule underlines the intensity of the workload. Following the international break, the Reds host Manchester City in what promises to be a physically demanding encounter, then travel to Austria for a Champions League fixture against LASK Linz, and within 72 hours are back on the road to face Brentford.
The October calendar reads: - October 11 – Manchester City (home) - October 14 – LASK Linz (away) - October 17 – Brentford (away) The following month presents a similar pattern: a high‑profile home clash with Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and then an away game at Crystal Palace. November adds a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between fixtures against Manchester United and Everton.
This relentless succession of games epitomises the reality of managing a top‑level club in both domestic and European competitions. Iraola's biggest unknown has always been how his players will adapt to a high‑intensity, high‑pressing style while maintaining the technical and tactical standards expected at Liverpool. In pre‑season he stressed that he was asking his squad to do things "a little bit different, especially without the ball," and that the players were beginning to understand the new demands. Alexander Isak, after a friendly against Monaco, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We are all working hard to make things work." The Fulham game served as the first real test of how the two worlds – a grueling Champions League night followed by a domestic match that required relentless pressing – would collide.
Liverpool had to come from behind to win the European tie, and then, only a few days later, they were expected to dictate the tempo against a well‑organized Fulham side. Iraola was clear in his post‑match analysis: "In the first half we were arriving late to the presses," he observed, noting that tactical adjustments at halftime only partially solved the problem.
Liverpool's tendency to split into a defensive block while the forwards press high has been a hallmark of their recent play. Against Fulham, this split left gaps that opponents like Josh King could exploit, finding space between the lines. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno recovered the ball, he was able to launch quick passes that removed several Liverpool attackers from the action, 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 an impressive 8.6, even lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp.
However, against Fulham the figure rose above the season average, suggesting the team was not pressing at its usual ferocity. Despite this, Liverpool have logged the most sprints in the Premier League and sit 12 places ahead in total distance covered, confirming that the physical output remains high. The challenge now is to translate that raw work rate into consistent, effective pressing across every fixture. Iraola has begun to rotate his attacking options, giving playing time to wingers, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while still relying on the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz.
Unfortunately, both Szoboszlai and Wirtz underperformed against Fulham compared with their displays just three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, appeared sloppy with the ball, prompting some fans to question whether his reputation can justify repeated excuses. Yet his work‑rate remains a bright spot; he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, indicating he could be one of the players Iraola identifies as capable of handling a three‑day turnaround. Iraola admitted that while it is tempting to field the same eleven every match, doing so inevitably leads to fatigue and a heightened injury risk.
"You can put the same players in every game," he said, "but eventually they will become very tired and the risk of injury rises." With key forwards like Hugo Ekitike unavailable, Liverpool cannot afford to lose players like Isak to exhaustion, especially if his natural game does not align with a high‑pressing system. The same question applies to midfielders; the manager must decide whether to trust the experienced Wataru Endo or give younger talents like Trey Nyoni more responsibility. In summary, Iraola is navigating uncharted waters, trying to balance a demanding schedule with a philosophy that demands constant movement and pressure.
The real test will be whether he can fine‑tune rotation, recovery protocols, and tactical nuance so that Liverpool can sustain their brand of high‑press football without compromising results or player health. The coming weeks, with back‑to‑back fixtures across competitions, will likely provide the answers he seeks.