Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges of implementing a relentless pressing system at Liverpool. He noted that some players can 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 performances suffer.
"We have to identify who can sustain a three‑day rhythm and who needs a longer recovery period," he explained, adding that the squad is still learning how to manage these varying demands. The issue became evident on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool were held to a dull draw by Fulham, a side that had yet to register a win in its first three league games. The mid‑week Europa League clash against Atletico Madrid appeared to have taken its toll.
After the match, Iraola admitted that the team was lacking freshness and that the situation was "the worst turnaround" allowed under Premier League scheduling rules. He warned that such congested fixtures will become more frequent, sometimes with only a single day of rest between games.
A quick glance at Liverpool's upcoming calendar underscores the intensity of the schedule. Following the international break, the Reds 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 high‑profile home game against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and an away fixture at Crystal Palace. By November, Liverpool will be sandwiched between a clash with Club Brugge and Premier League meetings with Manchester United and Everton. This relentless pace is the reality for any top‑level side, and it tests the durability of Iraola's pressing philosophy.
Iraola’s approach hinges on a high‑intensity, hard‑working style that demands players press aggressively even when out of possession. He has told his squad that he expects them to adopt slightly different habits, especially in defensive phases, and that they are beginning to grasp the concept. Alexander Isak, after a pre‑season friendly against Monaco, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We are all working hard to make things work." The Fulham game served as the first real test of how the two worlds – a demanding Champions League night followed by a domestic fixture – collide.
Liverpool had to come from behind to win in Europe, then immediately needed to dictate the tempo against a well‑organized Fulham side. Iraola observed that the team arrived late to the press in the first half, a symptom of reduced sharpness. Although tactical tweaks were made at halftime, the issue persisted.
A recurring problem for Liverpool under the new regime is the tendency for the back line to drop deep while the forwards press high, creating a split‑team effect. Against Fulham, this left gaps that allowed players like Josh King to find unexpected space. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno managed a simple distribution, several Liverpool attackers were caught out of position, highlighting the risks of an uncoordinated press.
Despite this, Iraola is unlikely to abandon the pressing ethos, as it remains central to his footballing identity. Statistically, Liverpool’s Pressing‑Points‑Per‑Defensive‑Action (PPDA) sits at 8.6 so far this season – a figure lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp, indicating an even more aggressive approach.
However, the PPDA rose slightly against Fulham, suggesting a temporary dip in intensity. Nevertheless, the team currently leads the Premier League in total distance covered and ranks 12th for sprint distance, confirming that they are indeed running more, sprinting more, and pressing more than their rivals.
To sustain this workload, Iraola has begun rotating certain positions. He has experimented with rotating the wingers, as well as midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Yet, key players such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were retained for the Fulham match, and both failed to replicate the high‑energy displays they produced three days earlier.
Wirtz, in particular, appeared sloppy with the ball, drawing criticism from fans who are growing impatient with excuses for a player who arrived with a strong reputation. While his work‑rate remains impressive – he is second in the league for high‑speed distance covered – the question remains whether stamina alone can compensate for technical lapses.
Iraola acknowledges that the squad cannot rely on a single set of eleven players every week. "You can field the same lineup each game," he admitted, "but eventually fatigue sets in and the injury risk rises." With striker Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose a player like Alexander Isak to exhaustion, especially if his natural game does not align with a high‑pressing forward’s requirements. Similar concerns apply to the midfield, where the manager must decide whether to trust emerging talent like Trey Nyoni or lean on experienced figures such as Wataru Endo.
Overall, Iraola admits that the process is still a learning curve and that he is navigating uncharted territory. The central dilemma – how to manage three matches in a week without compromising performance or increasing injury risk – has always been the biggest question surrounding his appointment. As the season progresses, the Liverpool boss will need to fine‑tune rotation policies, adapt training loads, and perhaps modify his pressing intensity to ensure that the team can maintain its aggressive identity without burning out. The coming weeks, with their packed fixture list, will provide the ultimate test of whether Iraola’s high‑press blueprint can thrive at Liverpool.