Andoni Iraola has been candid about the challenges of implementing a relentless pressing system at Liverpool, especially when the schedule forces players to compete with little recovery time. He noted that some athletes can handle a match every two or three days without a noticeable dip in form, while others are more vulnerable and see their performances suffer. "I need to identify which players can sustain that intensity and which need a rest day to keep their level high," he said, acknowledging that the squad is still learning how to manage the new demands.
The issue became starkly evident on Saturday at Anfield when Liverpool drew 0-0 with a struggling Fulham side that had already lost its first three league games. The mid‑week Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in Europe appeared to take its toll, leaving the Reds visibly fatigued.
After the match, Iraola admitted that the lack of freshness was obvious: "We cannot hide the fact that the players were not as sharp as they should be. This is the worst turnaround in terms of the hours allowed under Premier League rules, but we have to adapt." Looking ahead, the calendar offers little respite. 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 head to Brentford for an away league game on October 17. In November, a heavyweight home fixture against Arsenal is followed by a mid‑week trip to Fenerbahçe, then an away match at Crystal Palace, and later a visit to Club Brugge sandwiched between games with Manchester United and Everton.
Such a congested schedule underscores the reality of competing at the highest level: the squad must balance a high‑pressing philosophy with the physical limits of its players. Iraola's tactical blueprint emphasizes aggressive pressing, particularly off the ball, a hallmark of his coaching style. He explained during pre‑season that he expects his players to adopt slightly different responsibilities, especially when the ball is not in their possession.
Alexander Isak, after a friendly against Monaco, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We are all working hard to make it work." The Fulham game was the first true test of how the two worlds – a demanding Champions League night and a high‑press league fixture – intersect. Liverpool had to come from behind to win in Europe, then immediately switch to a game where they needed to dictate the tempo and press aggressively.
Iraola observed that the team was late to the first press in the opening half, a problem the coaching staff tried to address at halftime but could not fully correct. This lapse allowed Fulham's goalkeeper Bernd Leno to find easy outlets, relieving pressure and giving opponents breathing space.
Statistically, Liverpool's pressing intensity can be measured by Passes Allowed Per Defensive Action (PPDA). So far this season, the club records a PPDA of 8.6, lower than any full season under Jürgen Klopp, indicating a very aggressive approach.
However, against Fulham the figure rose slightly, suggesting the players were not operating at their usual tempo. Despite this, Liverpool leads the Premier League in total sprints and ranks 12th for distance covered, confirming that the team is indeed running more, sprinting more, and pressing more than most rivals.
To sustain this style, Iraola has begun rotating personnel, particularly on the flanks. He has experimented with giving Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister more minutes, while still relying on Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz in the attacking midfield roles.
The latter struggled against Fulham, displaying sloppy ball control and failing to reach the high‑energy levels he displayed just three days earlier. Wirtz, despite being second in the league for high‑speed distance covered, faced criticism from fans who are growing impatient with under‑whelming performances from a player with a big reputation.
Iraola admitted that the squad cannot simply field the same eleven every game without risking fatigue and injury. "You can put the same players in every match," he conceded, "but there will be moments when they are very tired and the risk of injury increases." This concern is amplified by the unavailability of Hugo Ekitike, meaning Liverpool cannot afford to lose key contributors like Isak to exhaustion. Questions also arise about whether Isak, a Swedish striker, naturally fits the pressing mold, or if midfielders such as Trey Nyoni or veteran Wataru Endo should be trusted more in this system.
The learning curve is steep, and Iraola acknowledges he is navigating uncharted territory. The central dilemma—how to manage three games in a week without compromising the pressing identity—has always been the biggest question for a coach known for his tactical acumen. As the season progresses, the Liverpool boss will need to fine‑tune rotation policies, monitor player load, and perhaps adjust the intensity of the press in certain fixtures to protect his squad while still delivering the high‑energy football that supporters expect. In summary, Iraola's pressing philosophy has already shown promising signs, with Liverpool registering impressive sprint and distance metrics.
Yet the congested fixture list, the physical toll of back‑to‑back high‑intensity games, and the need to keep key players fresh will test his ability to maintain this approach over a full season. The upcoming weeks, featuring a clash with Manchester City, a Champions League trip, and a series of demanding league matches, will provide a clear indication of whether his high‑press blueprint can be sustainably integrated into Liverpool's elite performance standards.