Andoni Iraola has been forced to change his approach at Liverpool as the Reds continue to juggle a hectic Premier League schedule, with the head coach getting used to the demands of three-game weeks
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andoni Iraola head coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on September 17, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola during a training session with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has revealed he is being forced to adjust the intensity of his training sessions at Liverpool as he gets to grips with a gruelling three-games-a-week schedule at Anfield.
Between September 9 and 15, the Reds defeated Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, played out a goalless stalemate with Fulham in the Premier League, and booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a commanding 3-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.
Iraola's squad has frequently spoken of the punishing nature of the head coach's training sessions since pre-season, and it is precisely that demanding approach which persuaded Liverpool to appoint him as Arne Slot's replacement back in June.
The Basque tactician, however, acknowledges he must adapt to a fixture list that has his new side competing on multiple fronts, having never previously managed an English club in European competition before this campaign, reports the Liverpool Echo.
"You have to get used to not being able to train," Iraola said. "Obviously when you play every three days, most of it is doing video (work), on the tactics board. Sometimes it is just saying what the team needs.
"We will definitely need more than 12, 13 or 14 players in this schedule. After the international break, we have four games in nine or 10 days or something crazy.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andoni Iraola head coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on September 17, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has admitted he's had to change his training methods to deal with Liverpool's schedule
"Even if I want to repeat the same [team], I wouldn't be able because there is a moment where the players cannot go again.
"For me the demands on the players and positions are the same. I don't give different instructions to one player because he is more expensive than another player or because he has cost us less money.
"The demands are the same. But I also have to adjust to the things that some players can do and others cannot do. The strengths and weaknesses of players are different, so we have to always adapt the team to try and maximize the collective side of this.
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"In Bournemouth, we had players who could run forever and other players who could not do it. It was not like everyone in Bournemouth was running.
"Some of them were faster, the others are slower, some of them score more goals, the others score less goals. Some are good at set pieces. There is no standard player.
"All the players want to run and I feel all the players here are doing everything to try to win and to try and get where we want as quickly as possible. But sometimes I need to adapt too to the players that we have."
Young forward Lewis Koumas earned widespread praise and claimed the player-of-the-match honor for his industrious performance against Spurs on Tuesday, yet Iraola was reluctant to suggest the 20-year-old should serve as the benchmark for the remainder of his squad.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Lewis Koumas of Liverpool shoots during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas goes close to capping his excellent performance for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur with a goal(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Iraola added: "I love the desire of Koumas, I love what he gives, but every player has different weaknesses and strengths.
"He is a good example especially for the players coming from the academy, he is grabbing his opportunity and doing everything to try to gain minutes, he is ready to play as a No.7, 11, 10 or a 9 or wherever we put him.
"Everything is very positive but also I have to work with Koumas a lot in other areas. There are things he has to improve.
"His energy is good for the team, it is contagious but he knows also he must improve in other things and we are doing this."