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 to maintain their standards. "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 the risk is higher for certain squad members and their output can dip noticeably. He explained that part of his job now is to identify which individuals can handle a tight schedule and which need a bit more recovery time. "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," Iraola remarked.
He admitted that some of his ideas are being tested for the first time, as several of his recruits have not endured such a congested calendar before. The theory was put to the test on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew 0‑0 with a struggling Fulham side that had already lost its opening three league games.
The mid‑week Europa League clash against Atletico Madrid in Spain seemed to take its toll, leaving the Reds visibly fatigued. "A lack of freshness, definitely. We cannot hide it," Iraola confessed in the post‑match press conference, describing the situation as "the worst turnaround" permitted under Premier League scheduling rules. He acknowledged that similar scenarios will recur throughout the season, sometimes with only a single day of rest between fixtures.
A quick glance at Liverpool's upcoming program highlights the intensity of the task ahead. After the international break, the team faces Manchester City at home, then travels to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz, and within 72 hours is back on the road to play Brentford.
The calendar continues with a heavyweight clash against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, a visit to Crystal Palace, and later a trip to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches with Manchester United and Everton. Such a schedule illustrates the relentless demand placed on a top‑level side and underscores the uncertainty surrounding how the squad will adapt to Iraola's high‑press philosophy while keeping performance levels high.
Iraola has always known that the biggest question would be whether his players could embrace the hard‑working, high‑intensity pressing style that defines his approach. In pre‑season he hinted that he was asking his squad to perform tasks that differ from what they are accustomed to, especially when out of possession. "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," he said. Alexander Isak echoed the sentiment after a friendly against Monaco, noting that everyone was putting in extra effort to make the system work.
The Fulham game was the first true test of the pressing concept under real‑match pressure. Liverpool had just endured a draining Champions League night at Anfield, where they had to come from behind to secure a win, and then were expected to dictate the tempo against a side that was already three points adrift in the league.
Iraola was candid in his analysis, pointing out that Liverpool were "arriving late to the presses" in the first half. Although tactical adjustments were made at halftime, the issue persisted, highlighting the difficulty of sustaining a coordinated press when players are still recovering from a previous high‑intensity encounter.
Liverpool's tendency to split into two units – a compact defence and a forward line that presses high – has been a hallmark of the Klopp era and continues under Iraola. Against Fulham, gaps appeared that allowed opponents like Josh King to find pockets of space.
When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno managed to play a simple pass out of danger, several Liverpool attackers were caught out of position, exposing the vulnerability of an uncoordinated press. Despite this, Iraola is unlikely to abandon the pressing ethos, believing that the long‑term benefits outweigh short‑term growing pains.
Statistically, Liverpool's Pressing‑Per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) figure sits at an impressive 8.6 this season, even lower than any full season under Jurgen Klopp. While the PPDA rose slightly against Fulham – suggesting a marginal dip in intensity – the team still leads the Premier League in total sprints and ranks 12 places higher than any other side in overall distance covered. They are running more, sprinting more, and pressing more, which was precisely the reason Iraola was appointed: to revive the brand of football that relies on relentless movement and collective work rate.
To keep the engine humming, Iraola has begun rotating his wide players and midfield options. He has given minutes to Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, who were both fielded against Fulham but failed to match the intensity they displayed just three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, looked sloppy with the ball, prompting some fans to question whether his reputation can excuse a sub‑par performance. Yet his work‑rate remains a silver lining – he is currently second in the league for distance covered at high speed, indicating that his physical contribution could compensate for occasional technical lapses.
Iraola admits that the squad may eventually be able to field the same eleven every game, but he warns that fatigue will inevitably 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 key players such as Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a striker like Isak to exhaustion or injury, especially if his natural game does not align with a high‑pressing forward role. Similar concerns apply to midfielders, prompting questions about whether veteran figures like Wataru Endo or emerging talents like Trey Nyoni might provide the necessary balance. In summary, Iraola's tenure at Liverpool is a learning curve both for him and for the squad.
The challenge of navigating three matches in a week, maintaining a high‑press system, and avoiding burnout is unprecedented for many of the players. As the season progresses, the Liverpool manager must continue to fine‑tune rotation policies, manage player workloads, and reinforce tactical discipline to ensure that the pressing philosophy becomes a sustainable strength rather than a fleeting experiment. The coming weeks will reveal whether his methods can withstand the relentless schedule of top‑flight English football while delivering the desired results on the pitch.