Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges of implementing a relentless pressing system at Liverpool. He noted that some players can comfortably feature every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and may see a decline in performance. "I have to identify who can handle a tight schedule and who needs more rest to maintain their level," he explained, adding that the squad is still learning how to balance intensity with recovery, especially for those who have not been accustomed to such a congested fixture list.
The issue became evident on a recent Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew 0‑0 with a struggling Fulham side that had lost its first three league matches. The mid‑week Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid appeared to take its toll.
After the game, Iraola admitted, "There was a clear lack of freshness – we couldn’t hide it." He described the situation as the "worst turnaround" allowed under Premier League scheduling rules, but stressed that the club must adapt quickly because similar scenarios will recur throughout the season. Looking ahead, the calendar is unforgiving.
Following the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City on October 11, travel to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz on October 14, and then face Brentford away on October 17 – three matches in just a week. The next month brings a heavyweight clash with Arsenal at home, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and a league visit to Crystal Palace.
By November, a Champions League fixture against Club Brugge is sandwiched between games versus Manchester United and Everton. Such a packed schedule underscores the reality of competing at the highest level: the squad must endure relentless physical and mental demands.
Iraola’s biggest unknown was how his players would respond to a high‑pressing philosophy that demands intense off‑the‑ball work while still delivering quality football. In pre‑season, he told the media, "I’m asking them to do things that are a bit different, especially without the ball, and I think they’re starting to get it." Alexander Isak echoed this sentiment after a friendly against Monaco, saying, "We’re all working hard to make it work." The Fulham game served as the first real test of the press‑and‑run concept after a taxing Champions League night where Liverpool had to come from behind to win.
Iraola observed in the post‑match press conference that the team was late to initiate presses in the first half, a problem that persisted despite tactical adjustments at halftime. Liverpool’s traditional pattern of a compact defense paired with an aggressive press from the forwards was disrupted, allowing Fulham’s striker Josh King and others to find surprising pockets of space.
When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno managed a simple outlet pass, several Liverpool attackers were caught out of position, highlighting the risk of a high press when players are not at peak fitness. Nonetheless, Iraola is unlikely to abandon his pressing ethos. The team’s Pressing Points per Defensive Action (PPDA) sits at an impressive 8.6 this season – lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp – indicating a willingness to close down opponents quickly. Although the figure rose slightly against Fulham, suggesting a marginal slowdown, Liverpool still leads the Premier League in total sprints and ranks 12th for overall distance covered.
These statistics illustrate why the club hired Iraola: to revive a brand of football built on relentless movement, pressing, and high‑intensity runs. The challenge now is to sustain that intensity consistently. To manage player fatigue, Iraola has begun rotating wingers and midfielders, giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, who struggled to match their three‑day‑earlier performances against Fulham.
Wirtz, in particular, displayed a sloppy touch, prompting some fans to question whether his reputation can excuse sub‑par displays. Yet his work‑rate remains a bright spot; he ranks second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, suggesting he could be one of the players capable of handling a three‑day rotation. Iraola admitted, "You can field the same players every game, but eventually they will tire, and the injury risk rises." With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a key striker like Isak to fatigue or injury. Questions arise about whether the Swedish forward is naturally suited to a pressing role, and similar doubts linger over the midfield contingent.
The coaching staff may need to lean on experienced figures such as Wataru Endo or give more responsibility to emerging talents like Trey Nyoni to balance the workload. In Iraola’s own words, this period is a learning curve in uncharted territory. The central concern for the Liverpool faithful has always been how the manager will navigate weeks featuring three games, and the recent Fulham stalemate has provided a glimpse of the answers he is seeking. The path forward will require careful squad management, tactical flexibility, and perhaps a bit of patience as the team adapts to a demanding schedule while striving to maintain the high‑pressing identity that defines Iraola’s philosophy.