Andoni Iraola opened the post‑match press conference by pointing out a simple truth: some players can handle a match every two or three days without any noticeable dip in form, while others are more fragile and need extra recovery time. He said, “There are players who play every three days and have no issues, they can accept it and performances do not change too much. Then there are other players where the risk is bigger and the performances are different.” This observation set the stage for a deeper discussion about the physical demands that Liverpool now faces under his guidance.
Iraola explained that part of his job is to identify which squad members can sustain a tight schedule and which require rotation to keep their output high. He admitted, “I have to learn who is ready to play every two or three days and who is ready to rest so their performance level doesn't drop. I had an idea with some of them, but for some of them it is new as they have not played as many games and we are learning.” The manager’s candidness highlighted the learning curve both he and the players are navigating.
The real‑world test of his theory arrived on a Saturday at Anfield, where Liverpool were held to a dull draw by a Fulham side that had lost its first three league matches. The midweek Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in Spain had clearly taken its toll. After the game, Iraola did not mince words: “A lack of freshness, definitely.
We cannot hide it.” He described the situation as “the worst turnaround” allowed by Premier League scheduling rules, yet he also recognised that Liverpool must adapt quickly because such congested periods will become a regular feature of the season. Looking ahead, the fixture list underscores the intensity of the challenge. After the international break, Liverpool host Manchester City, then travel to Austria for a Champions League tie against LASK Linz, and within 72 hours find themselves away at Brentford.
The calendar continues with a home showdown against Arsenal, a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, and then a journey to Crystal Palace. November brings a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between matches with Manchester United and Everton. This relentless rhythm illustrates the reality of competing at the highest level: the squad must be prepared to perform on successive days, often with only a single day of rest. Iraola’s philosophy revolves around a high‑pressing, hard‑running style that he believes can give Liverpool a competitive edge.
He told the media during pre‑season, “I am asking them to do things that are a little bit different, especially without the ball and I think they are trying to get it.” Alexander Isak, who arrived from a Swedish club, echoed the sentiment after a friendly against Monaco: “We are all working hard to make things work.” The Fulham game, however, was the first true examination of how this approach holds up when the team is fatigued. In the first half against Fulham, Liverpool appeared sluggish, arriving late to press and allowing the opposition space to operate.
Iraola noted, “Especially in the first half, we were arriving late to the presses.” Although tactical tweaks were made at the break, the team never fully recovered the intensity they displayed in the Champions League victory the night before. The mismatch between the defensive line, which tended to sit deep, and the forwards, who were supposed to press aggressively, created gaps that Fulham’s Josh King and his teammates exploited. When Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno found a simple outlet, several Liverpool attackers were caught out of position, underscoring the risk of an uncoordinated press. Statistically, Liverpool’s pressing metric – Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA) – stands at an impressive 8.6, the lowest figure recorded this season and even lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp.
Yet against Fulham the PPDA rose above the average, suggesting the players were not operating at their usual tempo. Despite this, Liverpool have logged the most sprints and rank 12 places higher than any other side in total distance covered, confirming that the physical output remains high.
Iraola has already begun to tweak his rotation policy. He has experimented with swapping wingers and giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying heavily on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. The latter struggled against Fulham, displaying a lack of composure that frustrated some supporters who expected more from a player with a strong reputation.
Nevertheless, Wirtz is second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, indicating that his work‑rate could compensate for occasional technical lapses. The manager admitted that fatigue will inevitably lead to moments when players are “very tired and there is more risk of injury.” With key forwards such as Hugo Ekitike sidelined, Liverpool cannot afford to lose another striker like Isak to exhaustion or injury. Questions also arise about whether Isak’s playing style naturally fits a pressing system, and whether midfielders like Trey Nyoni or seasoned campaigner Wataru Endo can provide the necessary balance.
In summary, Iraola is navigating uncharted territory: implementing a demanding pressing philosophy while managing a congested schedule that forces him to decide who can endure three games in a week. The Fulham draw highlighted both the potential and the pitfalls of his approach. As the season progresses, the Liverpool boss will need to refine his rotation strategy, ensure his players understand the nuances of pressing without the ball, and maintain the high physical standards that have become a hallmark of the club’s identity.
Only time will tell whether his pressing game can become a sustainable advantage for Liverpool in the Premier League and Europe.