Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy presents for Liverpool’s squad. He noted that some athletes can cope with a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and a drop in performance. "I need to identify who can handle a tight schedule and who needs a rest to keep their level steady," he said, acknowledging that his approach is still being fine‑tuned because many of his players have not experienced such a congested calendar before. The issue became starkly apparent on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew with a struggling Fulham side that had yet to claim a point in their opening three games.
The mid‑week Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in Europe seemed to have taken its toll. After the match, Iraola admitted that a "lack of freshness" was obvious and could not be concealed. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" under Premier League scheduling rules, but also stressed that the club must learn to cope with these demanding intervals. Looking ahead, the fixture list underscores the intensity of the upcoming weeks.
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 on the road to face Brentford. In October, a home showdown with Arsenal is followed by a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, then an away game at Crystal Palace.
November brings a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches against Manchester United and Everton. This relentless rhythm epitomises the pressure placed on a top‑level team and tests Iraola’s ability to keep his high‑pressing ethos alive without over‑exerting his players. Iraola’s pre‑season remarks highlighted his desire to implement a slightly different style, especially in the moments when the ball is lost. He emphasized that his players must work harder off the ball to make the system function.
Alexander Isak echoed this sentiment after the friendly against Monaco, saying, "We are all working hard to make things work." The first real test of this theory arrived against Fulham, where Liverpool had to transition from a grueling Champions League night—where they came from behind to win—to a domestic match that demanded immediate intensity. In the post‑match press conference, Iraola was forthright about the shortcomings. He pointed out that Liverpool were "late to the presses" in the first half, and although tactical tweaks were introduced at halftime, the issue persisted. The team’s tendency to split, with the back line retreating while the forwards press, created gaps that Fulham’s Josh King and others exploited, granting them unexpected space.
When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno found an easy outlet, several Liverpool attackers were forced out of the game, highlighting the risk of a disjointed press. Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressing‑per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) metric sits at 8.6 this season—lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp—suggesting a very aggressive approach. However, against Fulham the PPDA rose slightly, hinting that the squad was not operating at its usual tempo.
Despite this, Liverpool have logged the most sprints and rank 12th for total distance covered, confirming that the physical output remains high. Iraola’s mandate was to revive the high‑energy, high‑press brand of football that fans adore.
The real challenge now is to sustain that intensity consistently. To manage fatigue, he has begun rotating wingers and midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while still relying heavily on players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz.
Both featured again against Fulham but did not match the sharpness they displayed three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, appeared sloppy with the ball, prompting criticism from supporters who are reluctant to excuse a player with a strong reputation.
Yet his work rate remains impressive; he is second in the league for high‑speed distance covered. This could make him a candidate for the “every‑three‑days” rotation Iraola mentioned. He admitted, "You can put the same players in every game, but eventually they become tired and the injury risk rises." With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a key forward like Isak to fatigue.
Questions arise about whether the Swedish striker naturally fits a pressing system, and similar doubts linger over certain midfield options. Trusting experienced figures such as Trey Nyoni or veteran Wataru Endo may become essential as the season progresses. Iraola himself frames the situation as a learning curve, acknowledging that he is navigating uncharted territory. The central query—how to handle three games in a week without compromising performance—has always loomed large for a coach of his calibre.
As the weeks unfold, the Liverpool boss must devise practical solutions, balancing rotation, recovery protocols, and tactical flexibility to keep his high‑press model both effective and sustainable.