Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has admitted that his side will have to endure periods of inconsistency as they adjust to the demands of competing across multiple competitions.
The Spaniard made the remarks after Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, their third draw in four Premier League matches this season.
Liverpool entered the Fulham clash less than three days after defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their Champions League opener, leaving Iraola concerned about the physical demands placed on his players.
The manager said the short turnaround contributed to Liverpool’s lack of sharpness, particularly in attack, but stressed that managing such a schedule would be part of the challenge throughout the campaign.
Iraola is now assessing which members of his squad can cope with playing every three days without a significant drop in performance.
“There are players who play every three days with no issues,” Iraola said, adding that others would need more rest to maintain their performance levels. He specifically pointed to captain Virgil van Dijk as a player with the experience and physical capacity to handle the demanding schedule.
The Liverpool boss also acknowledged that younger players and recent arrivals would require closer monitoring as they adjust to the intensity of English football and the club’s congested fixture list.
The goalless draw against Fulham highlighted some of those concerns. Liverpool struggled to create clear chances despite starting a high-profile attacking trio of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, while Fulham secured their first Premier League point under manager Álvaro Arbeloa.
Iraola has also indicated that Liverpool’s struggles cannot simply be blamed on individual players or one area of the team. Following criticism of the midfield after the Fulham stalemate, he described the problem as a collective issue that requires improvement across the side.
Liverpool remain unbeaten under Iraola, but the early results have been mixed. The Reds have drawn three of their opening four league matches, while their Champions League campaign began with victory over Atletico Madrid.
With another demanding fixture against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup approaching, Iraola is expected to rotate his squad. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to replace Alisson Becker, while Joe Gomez has returned to training and is available for selection. Conor Bradley, however, remains sidelined.
For Iraola, the immediate priority is finding the right balance between squad rotation, player fitness and results as Liverpool attempt to compete on several fronts.
The manager accepts that setbacks will come, but believes Liverpool must learn quickly to cope with the pressures that accompany a packed schedule.
