Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges of implementing his intense pressing philosophy at Liverpool, especially when the schedule becomes congested. He noted that some players can comfortably handle a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and may see their performance suffer. "We have to identify who can sustain that rhythm and who needs a rest to keep their level high," he explained, adding that the squad is still learning how to balance the workload, particularly for those who have not been accustomed to such a packed calendar.
The issue became evident on a recent Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a lackluster draw by Fulham, a side that had lost its first three league games. The midweek Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid in Spain appeared to leave the Reds exhausted, and the impact was unmistakable.
"There was a clear lack of freshness," Iraola admitted in the post‑match press conference. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" under Premier League scheduling rules, acknowledging that the team will have to adapt to these demanding intervals.
Looking ahead, the fixture list suggests that such tight turnarounds are not a one‑off event. After the upcoming international break, Liverpool face Manchester City at home – a high‑stakes clash that will be followed just three days later by a Champions League away game against LASK Linz in Austria. Within 72 hours of returning from Austria, they travel to Brentford for another Premier League encounter. The sequence continues in October with a home showdown against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and then an away match at Crystal Palace.
November brings a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between games against Manchester United and Everton. This relentless schedule underscores the reality of competing at the highest level: players must be prepared to deliver peak performances with minimal recovery time.
Iraola's biggest unknown has always been how his squad will respond to the physical demands of his high‑press system while maintaining technical quality. During pre‑season, he warned that he would ask his players to do things differently, especially when out of possession. Alexander Isak, after a friendly against Monaco, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We are all working hard to make it work." The Fulham game was the first real test of whether the team could sustain that intensity across back‑to‑back fixtures. In the press conference after the draw, Iraola pinpointed the main problem: the team was late to press in the first half.
Although tactical tweaks were made at halftime, the issue persisted. Liverpool have traditionally struggled with a split‑team dynamic, where the back line drops deep while the forwards press high. Against Fulham, this created gaps that allowed players like Josh King to find surprising pockets of space.
When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno managed to play a simple pass out of danger, Liverpool lost several attackers in the subsequent attack, highlighting the risk of an uncoordinated press. 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 Jurgen Klopp.
However, against Fulham the figure rose above their average, suggesting that the players were not as quick to close down as usual. Despite this, Liverpool have logged the most sprints in the Premier League and rank 12th for total distance covered, confirming that the physical output remains high.
Iraola was recruited precisely because of his commitment to a high‑energy, pressing style. The club wanted to return to that brand of football, but the challenge now lies in delivering it consistently without over‑exerting the squad. To manage fatigue, Iraola has begun rotating certain positions, giving minutes to wingers, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister.
Yet, key players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were still fielded against Fulham, and neither matched the intensity they displayed three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, appeared tentative with the ball, prompting criticism from some fans who feel the player should not be excused given his reputation. Nevertheless, his work rate remains a valuable asset; he currently ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered. This raises the question of whether sheer work rate can offset occasional technical lapses, especially in a system that relies heavily on pressing.
Iraola emphasized that the squad must discover who can reliably play every two or three days. "You can use the same eleven each game," he said, "but eventually they will tire, and the injury risk rises." With forward Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Isak to fatigue or injury. The Swedish striker's suitability as a natural press‑forward is still under debate, as is the role of midfielders such as Trey Nyoni and the experienced Wataru Endo, who could provide stability. In summary, Iraola's tenure at Liverpool is still in its early stages, and the learning curve is steep.
The manager must balance his aggressive pressing ethos with realistic squad rotation, ensuring that players recover adequately between matches. The upcoming congested periods – especially the October stretch of three games in eight days and the November sequence that pits them against top rivals – will serve as critical tests.
Whether Liverpool can sustain a high‑press approach without compromising player health will determine the long‑term success of Iraola's philosophy at the club.