Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his new pressing system presents for Liverpool. He noted that some players can cope with a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable and see a clear decline in performance. "I have to learn who can handle the workload and who needs a rest to keep their level steady," he said, acknowledging that his squad is still adapting to a schedule that many of them have not experienced before. The issue became evident on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew 0-0 with a struggling Fulham side that had already lost three league games.
The mid‑week Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in Europe had clearly taken its toll. After the match, Iraola admitted, "We lacked freshness, and you can see it. It's the worst turnaround allowed by Premier League rules, but we have to learn to manage it." He warned that such congested periods will recur, sometimes with only a single day between fixtures. A quick look at Liverpool's upcoming calendar highlights the intensity of the challenge.
Following the international break, the Reds host Manchester City on October 11, travel to Austria for a Champions League tie with LASK Linz on October 14, and then head to Brentford for an away league game on October 17. The next month sees a home showdown with Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and an away match against Crystal Palace. By November, a visit to Club Brugge is sandwiched between games against Manchester United and Everton.
This relentless rhythm is the reality for any top‑level club. Iraola's biggest unknown has always been how his squad will respond to a high‑intensity, high‑pressing style while maintaining the technical standards expected at Liverpool. In pre‑season he explained, "I am asking the players to do things a little differently, especially when we are out of possession, and I think they are beginning to understand." Alexander Isak echoed that sentiment after a friendly against Monaco, saying, "We are all working hard to make it work." The Fulham match was the first real test of the theory when a draining Champions League night was followed by a league game that required Liverpool to dictate the tempo. Iraola was blunt in the post‑match press conference: "In the first half we were late to the presses," he observed, noting that the team made tactical tweaks at halftime but never fully recovered.
Liverpool's traditional split‑team shape—defenders sitting deep while the front line presses—has often left gaps for opponents to exploit. Against Fulham, players such as Josh King found pockets of space, and goalkeeper Bernd Leno was able to release the ball easily, pulling several Liverpool attackers out of the action.
Statistically, Liverpool's pressing intensity is measured by Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA). So far this season the Reds sit at an impressive 8.6, even lower than any full season under Jurgen Klopp. However, the figure rose slightly against Fulham, suggesting the players were not operating at their usual tempo.
Despite this, Liverpool have already logged the most sprints and rank 12th for total distance covered in the Premier League, underscoring the physical demands of Iraola's philosophy. To keep the press sustainable, Iraola has begun rotating personnel. He appears to be experimenting with the wide positions, giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz.
The latter struggled against Fulham, showing a lack of composure on the ball. Critics are beginning to question whether constant excuses for high‑profile signings are justified. Yet Wirtz's work‑rate cannot be ignored; he is currently second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, which could make him a candidate for the "every‑three‑days" role Iraola mentioned.
Iraola also warned that over‑use of any player raises injury risk. "You can field the same eleven every game," he conceded, "but eventually they will become fatigued and more prone to injury." With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Isak to exhaustion. The Swedish striker's suitability as a natural press‑forward remains a topic of debate, as does the role of midfielders such as Trey Nyoni and veteran Wataru Endo in absorbing the workload. Overall, the Liverpool boss admits he is navigating uncharted territory.
The central question—how to manage three games in a week without compromising performance—has always loomed large for a coach of his reputation. The answer will lie in a blend of squad rotation, tactical flexibility, and perhaps a bit of luck with injuries.
As the season progresses, Iraola's ability to fine‑tune his pressing system while keeping players fresh will determine whether Liverpool can sustain the high‑intensity brand of football that fans expect.