Andoni Iraola opened up about the challenges of implementing a relentless pressing system at Liverpool, noting that some squad members can cope with a match every two or three days without a dip in form, while others are more vulnerable to fatigue and injury. He explained, "There are players who can handle a three‑day turnaround and their output remains steady. Then there are others where the risk of fatigue is higher and the quality of their performances suffers." Iraola added that part of his job now involves identifying which individuals can sustain a high‑intensity schedule and which need more recovery time.
"I have to learn who can play every two or three days and who needs a rest to keep their level up. I had an idea with some of them, but for others it's new because they haven't been through such a congested calendar before, and we are still learning," he said. He put those theories to the test on Saturday at Anfield, when Liverpool drew a lacklustre 0‑0 with Fulham – a side that had lost its first three league games.
The mid‑week Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid clearly left a mark on the Reds, and the fatigue was evident. "A lack of freshness, definitely. We cannot hide it," Iraola admitted in the post‑match press conference. He described the situation as "the worst turnaround" allowed under Premier League scheduling rules, but stressed that Liverpool must adapt quickly.
The manager warned that such tight turnarounds will become a regular feature of the season. "Sometimes we will have only one extra day, sometimes none. It will happen repeatedly throughout the campaign," he said.
A quick glance at Liverpool's upcoming fixtures underlines the intensity of the schedule. After the international break, the team hosts Manchester City – a demanding encounter – before jetting to Austria for a Champions League group match against LASK Linz. Within 72 hours they are back on the road for an away game at Brentford. - 11 Oct – Manchester City (home) - 14 Oct – LASK Linz (away) - 17 Oct – Brentford (away) The calendar continues to pile on: a home clash with Arsenal in early November, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, then an away fixture at Crystal Palace.
Later that month, 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, and Iraola's biggest unknown is how his players will react to the physical and tactical demands of his high‑press philosophy while maintaining the high standards expected at Liverpool. During pre‑season, Iraola emphasized that he was asking his squad to adopt new behaviours, especially when out of possession.
"I am asking them to do things that are a little bit different, especially without the ball, and I think they are starting to understand," he said. New signing Alexander Isak echoed this sentiment after a friendly against Monaco: "We are all working hard to make it work." The Fulham match was the first real test of the theory when two worlds collided: a draining Champions League night at Anfield, where Liverpool had to come from behind to win, followed by a Premier League game that required them to dictate the tempo from the first whistle. Iraola was candid in his analysis after the draw, pointing out that the team was late to the first press in the opening half. Tactical tweaks were introduced at halftime, but the issue lingered.
Liverpool has often displayed a split‑team shape – the back line sitting deep while the front line presses high. Against Fulham, this left gaps for players like Josh King to find surprising pockets of space. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno recovered the ball and played it out quickly, several Liverpool attackers were caught out of position, highlighting the risk of an uncoordinated press. Statistically, Liverpool's Pressing‑Per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) sits at an impressive 8.6 this season, a figure lower than any full campaign under Jürgen Klopp.
However, against Fulham the PPDA rose above the season average, suggesting the squad was not operating at its usual intensity. Despite this, Liverpool currently leads the league in total sprints and ranks 12th for overall distance covered, confirming that the team is indeed running more, sprinting more, and pressing more than most rivals.
These metrics illustrate why Iraola was appointed: the board wanted a return to an energetic, high‑press brand of football. The challenge now is to sustain that approach consistently, even when the calendar is unforgiving. To manage player load, Iraola has begun rotating wide players, giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying on the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz.
Unfortunately, both Szoboszlai and Wirtz looked flat‑lined against Fulham, failing to match the intensity they displayed just three days earlier. Wirtz, in particular, was careless with the ball, prompting criticism from sections of the fanbase that are growing weary of excuses for a player who arrived with a stellar reputation. Yet his work‑rate remains a redeeming factor – he is currently second in the league for distance covered at high speed.
This could make him a candidate for Iraola's "every‑three‑days" rotation, as the manager himself suggested: "You can put the same players in every game, but eventually they will tire and the injury risk rises." With Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose key contributors like Isak to fatigue. Questions arise about whether the Swedish striker is a natural press‑forward, and similar doubts linger over some midfield options. Will the experienced Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo be trusted to shield the back line?
Can young talent Trey Nyoni step up when rotation is required? Iraola repeatedly stressed that this is a learning curve for both him and the squad. Navigating three games in a single week was always the biggest concern for a coach known for his meticulous preparation. Now, the task is to translate theory into practice, ensuring that Liverpool can press effectively without compromising player health.
In summary, the early signs are mixed: Liverpool's statistical pressing numbers are elite, but the practical execution falters when the schedule compresses. Iraola's success will hinge on his ability to fine‑tune rotation, maintain tactical clarity, and keep the squad physically fresh. If he can master these variables, Liverpool's high‑press identity could become a sustainable hallmark rather than a fleeting experiment.