Liverpool lacked freshness after congested fixture schedule, says Iraola

Andoni Iraola, the manager of Liverpool, faces the challenge of managing player fitness as his team prepares for a demanding schedule of three games a week. He acknowledged that while some players can handle frequent matches without a drop in performance, others may struggle. Iraola is in the process of determining which players are capable of maintaining their performance levels with such a rigorous schedule, as many are not accustomed to this frequency of play.

Liverpool's recent match against Fulham highlighted the impact of a congested fixture schedule. The team played a Champions League match just days before facing Fulham and struggled to maintain their usual intensity. Iraola admitted that the players lacked freshness and noted that the quick turnaround was one of the worst he had experienced, suggesting that the team must adapt to such challenges throughout the season.

The upcoming fixtures for Liverpool include a crucial match against Manchester City, followed by a Champions League encounter with LASK Linz and another league game against Brentford. These matches will test the squad's depth and ability to perform under pressure. Iraola's team will need to find a way to balance their high-pressing style with the physical demands of playing multiple games in quick succession.

Iraola has begun to implement tactical adjustments to address the issues observed in the Fulham match, particularly the team's pressing strategy. He noted that players were arriving late to pressing situations, which allowed opponents to exploit gaps in Liverpool's defence. Despite these challenges, the team remains committed to maintaining their pressing style, which has seen them record high sprinting and distance covered statistics this season.

To manage player fatigue, Iraola is considering rotation among his squad, especially for key positions. He has already experimented with rotating wingers but noted that some players, like Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, did not perform at their best against Fulham. As Liverpool navigates this demanding schedule, Iraola understands that finding the right balance will be crucial to the team's success.

via Sky Sports