Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy presents for Liverpool, especially when the squad is forced into a congested schedule. He noted that some athletes can comfortably feature every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and a subsequent decline in performance.
"I have to identify which players can handle a game every two or three days and which need a rest to keep their level steady," he explained, acknowledging that the balance is still being worked out, particularly for those who have not yet experienced such a demanding calendar. The issue came sharply into focus on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a lackluster draw by Fulham, a side that had lost its opening three league matches.
The midweek Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in Europe appeared to have taken its toll. After the game, Iraola admitted that the team was visibly lacking freshness and that the fatigue was impossible to conceal. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" permitted under Premier League scheduling rules, but also stressed that Liverpool must adapt and learn to cope with such constraints. Looking ahead, the fixture list underscores how relentless the season will be.
Following the international break, Liverpool face Manchester City at home – a high‑intensity encounter – before traveling to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz. Within 72 hours, they are scheduled to travel to Brentford for an away Premier League match. The October calendar reads: - October 11 – Manchester City (home) - October 14 – LASK Linz (away) - October 17 – Brentford (away) November offers a similar pattern: a massive home showdown with Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, then a league visit to Crystal Palace. Later, a Champions League fixture against Club Brugge is sandwiched between matches with Manchester United and Everton.
This relentless rhythm illustrates the reality for any top‑tier club and places a particular test on Iraola’s high‑press system, which relies on relentless running and coordinated pressure without the ball. Iraola has repeatedly emphasized that his approach demands a different mindset from the players, especially when the ball is out of possession. In pre‑season, he told the squad that they would be asked to execute tasks that differ from the previous regime, and Alexander Isak echoed that sentiment after a friendly against Monaco, saying, "We are all working hard to make things work." The first true test of this philosophy arrived against Fulham, where Liverpool had to transition from a draining Champions League night – in which they staged a comeback victory – to a domestic match that required immediate intensity and forward pressure. During the post‑match press conference, Iraola was forthright about the shortcomings.
He highlighted that, particularly in the first half, Liverpool were late to engage in pressing actions, allowing Fulham moments of comfort. Although tactical tweaks were introduced at halftime, the team never fully recovered the desired intensity. Liverpool’s defensive shape often split under pressure: the back line would retreat while the attackers pressed high, creating gaps that Fulham’s forward Josh King and others exploited.
When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno found space to distribute the ball easily, several Liverpool forwards were left out of the play, underscoring the risk of an uncoordinated press. Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressing‑Per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) metric sits at an impressive 8.6 this season – lower than any full‑season average under Jurgen Klopp. However, against Fulham the figure rose, suggesting a slight drop in pressing vigor, possibly due to the accumulated fatigue Iraola mentioned. Despite this, Liverpool have already logged the most sprints in the Premier League and rank 12th overall for total distance covered, confirming that the team is indeed running and sprinting more than most rivals.
The core of Iraola’s mandate is to sustain this high‑energy brand of football consistently, not just in isolated bursts. To achieve that, he has begun rotating players, giving minutes to wingers, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while still relying heavily on key figures such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. Unfortunately, both Szoboszlai and Wirtz appeared subdued against Fulham, failing to match the sharpness they displayed just three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, was sloppy with the ball, prompting some supporters to question whether his reputation can excuse a sub‑par performance.
Yet his work‑rate remains a bright spot; he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, indicating that his physical contributions could make him a candidate for the three‑day rotation pool Iraola is still defining. Iraola admitted that he can indeed field the same eleven in consecutive games, but cautioned that doing so inevitably raises the risk of fatigue‑related injuries.
With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Alexander Isak to exhaustion or injury, especially if the Swedish striker’s natural game does not align perfectly with a pressing system. Similar questions arise for the midfield unit: should veteran Wataru Endo be trusted to provide stability, or can younger talents like Trey Nyoni step up? In summary, Iraola’s tenure at Liverpool is still in its infancy, and the learning curve is steep.
The manager must determine which squad members can thrive on a three‑day turnaround, how to rotate the roster without compromising tactical cohesion, and how to maintain the high‑press intensity that fans and the board expect. The upcoming weeks, packed with domestic and European commitments, will serve as a crucible for his ideas.
Whether Liverpool can consistently execute a relentless press while navigating a congested calendar will ultimately decide if Iraola’s philosophy can take root at this historic club.