Andoni Iraola opened the post‑match press conference by noting that some players can handle a three‑day turnaround without any noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable and see their output suffer. He explained that his job now is to identify which squad members can sustain a high‑intensity press every two or three days and which need a rest day to keep their performance levels stable. "I have a few ideas about a handful of players," he said, "but for many it’s new territory because they haven’t been asked to play so many games in such a short span, and we are all learning together." The reality of those words became clear on Saturday at Anfield, when Liverpool were held to a dull draw by a Fulham side that had already lost its first three league fixtures. The mid‑week Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid in Europe appeared to have taken its toll.
After the game, Iraola was blunt: "We lacked freshness, absolutely. We can’t hide that," he asserted. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" permitted under Premier League scheduling rules, but admitted that Liverpool must adapt if they are to compete on multiple fronts. He warned that such congested periods will recur, sometimes with only a single day between matches, sometimes with a slightly longer gap, but the pattern will repeat throughout the season.
A quick glance at the upcoming calendar highlights the challenge. Following the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City in what promises to be a gruelling encounter, then travel to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz, and within 72 hours are back on the road at Brentford.
The sequence continues in October with a home clash against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, an away game at Crystal Palace, and later in November a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between fixtures against Manchester United and Everton. This relentless rhythm epitomises the demands placed on a top‑tier club.
The key unknown for Iraola has always been how his squad will respond to the dual challenge of embracing his hard‑working, high‑pressing philosophy while still delivering the high standards expected at Liverpool. In pre‑season, he told the media that he was asking his players to perform tasks that differ from what they are accustomed to, especially when the ball is out of possession. He believed they were beginning to understand the new demands.
After a friendly against Monaco, striker Alexander Isak echoed the sentiment, saying, "We are all working hard to make it work." The Fulham match, however, was the first genuine test of those ideas when the two worlds collided. Liverpool had just endured a draining Champions League night at Anfield, where they had to come from behind to secure a win, and were then required to dictate the tempo against a side that had been struggling domestically.
Iraola’s analysis remained clear‑sighted. He noted that Liverpool arrived late to the presses, particularly in the first half, and although tactical tweaks were made at the break, the problem was not fully resolved. Liverpool’s tendency to split into a compact defensive block while the forwards press high has been a hallmark of the Klopp era.
Against Fulham, gaps appeared that allowed players like Josh King to find surprising pockets of space. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno collected a simple pass, he was able to launch a quick counter‑attack that removed several Liverpool attackers from the play—a scenario far from ideal. Despite the setback, Iraola is unlikely to abandon his pressing ethos, believing that the long‑term benefits outweigh short‑term growing pains. 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. In the Fulham game the figure rose slightly, suggesting the team was a touch slower than usual, but the overall data still points to a side that presses aggressively.
Moreover, Liverpool have already logged the most sprints in the Premier League and sit 12 places ahead of the league average in total distance covered. They are running more, sprinting more, and pressing more than any other side, which aligns with the very reason Iraola was recruited: to reinstate a brand of football built on relentless energy.
The next hurdle is to translate that raw work rate into consistent, effective performance week after week. Iraola has begun to rotate his wide players, giving minutes to Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. Both Szoboszlai and Wirtz featured again against Fulham but did not match the intensity they displayed three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, appeared careless with the ball, drawing criticism from fans who are growing impatient with a player who arrived with a lofty reputation. Yet his work‑rate remains a talking point; he ranks second in the league for distance covered at high speed, suggesting that stamina may compensate for occasional technical lapses. Iraola acknowledged that the squad can, in theory, field the same eleven each game, but warned that fatigue will inevitably increase injury risk.
With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a key forward like Isak to overuse. Questions arise about whether Isak is naturally suited to a pressing forward role, and similar doubts linger over some midfield options.
The manager may need to lean on experienced figures such as Wataru Endo or give younger talent like Trey Nyoni a chance to prove their resilience. Ultimately, Iraola stresses that this is a learning curve for both him and the players.
Navigating three matches in a single week has always been the big test for a coach who prides himself on high‑intensity tactics. The Liverpool job now hinges on finding the right balance between rotation, recovery, and maintaining the aggressive style that fans have come to expect. As the season progresses and the fixture list continues to compress, the answers Iraola uncovers will determine whether his pressing philosophy can flourish at Anfield or whether the relentless schedule will force a tactical rethink.