Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges his pressing philosophy presents for Liverpool, especially when the schedule becomes congested. 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 drop in performance. "I have to discover which players can handle a game every two or three days and which ones need a rest to keep their level high," he said, adding that he is still learning which squad members fit each profile, particularly those who have not yet endured such a dense calendar. The issue became starkly apparent on a Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a dull draw by Fulham, a side that had lost its first three league matches.
The mid‑week Champions League encounter against Atletico Madrid in Spain clearly left its mark. After the match, Iraola admitted, "We lacked freshness, no doubt about it.
We cannot hide that fact." He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" permitted under Premier League scheduling rules, but also recognised that Liverpool will have to adapt if they are to compete on multiple fronts. Looking ahead, the fixture list suggests that these demanding periods will recur.
Following the upcoming international break, Liverpool host Manchester City—a high‑intensity clash—before travelling to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz. Within 72 hours they are expected to be on the road again to face Brentford. The sequence continues in October with a home game against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and an away match at Crystal Palace. November brings a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between fixtures with Manchester United and Everton.
This relentless rhythm epitomises the reality of life at a top‑tier club. Iraola's primary unknown has always been how his squad will respond to the physical demands of his high‑press system while still delivering the technical quality required at Anfield. In pre‑season he explained, "I am asking the players to do things that are a little bit different, 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 game served as the first true test of the clash between a draining Champions League night—where Liverpool had to come from behind to win—and the need to immediately impose a high‑press tempo in the league. Iraola was forthright in his post‑match analysis, pointing out that Liverpool were "late to the presses" in the first half.
Although tactical tweaks were introduced at halftime, the problem persisted. Liverpool have historically displayed a split‑team pattern: the back line sits deep while the forwards press aggressively. Against Fulham, this left gaps that allowed opponents like Josh King to find surprising space. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno managed a simple distribution, several Liverpool attackers were caught out of position, highlighting the risk of an uncoordinated press.
Despite this, Iraola is unlikely to abandon the pressing philosophy, as it aligns with the club's identity and his own coaching ethos. Statistically, Liverpool's Pressures Per Defensive Action (PPDA) sits at an impressive 8.6 this season—lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp—indicating an aggressive approach.
However, the figure rose slightly against Fulham, perhaps reflecting the players' reduced intensity after a taxing European night. Even so, Liverpool currently lead the Premier League in total sprints and rank 12th for overall distance covered, underscoring their commitment to high‑energy play. To sustain this model, Iraola has begun rotating personnel. He has experimented with rotating wingers and midfielders such as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.
Yet, key attackers like Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were retained for the Fulham match, and neither matched the vigor they displayed three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, appeared careless with the ball, prompting criticism from fans who question whether his reputation justifies continued leniency.
While his work‑rate remains notable—he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered—reliability under a press‑heavy system is still under scrutiny. Iraola acknowledges that the ability to field the same eleven across three games in a week is limited. "You can put the same players in every game," he conceded, "but eventually they will become very tired and the risk of injury rises." With striker Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Isak to fatigue or injury, especially if his natural game does not involve relentless pressing. Similar concerns apply to the midfield cohort, where decisions about trusting younger talents such as Trey Nyoni or leaning on seasoned figures like Wataru Endo will be pivotal.
In summary, Iraola is navigating uncharted territory. The pressing style he champions demands both physical stamina and tactical cohesion, and the congested schedule of domestic and European commitments tests these attributes weekly.
The central question remains: can Liverpool maintain the intensity of a three‑day press rotation without compromising results or player health? The answer will shape not only Iraola's tenure but also the future identity of Liverpool's brand of football.