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Liverpool must “get used to not being able to train” – admits Andoni Iraola

KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Andoni Iraola has insisted he is placing the same demands on every player but is having to “adapt” training at Liverpool.

One of the biggest changes since Arne Slot’s departure has been the increased intensity of training sessions.

Multiple players have said that sessions have become tougher and the level has gone up, though Iraola is having to contend with a busier fixture schedule than when he was at Bournemouth.

“You have to get used to not being able to train,” Iraola told media including the Liverpool Echo.

“Obviously when you play every three days, most of it are doing video, on the tactics board. Sometimes it is just saying what the team needs.”

Liverpool’s greater energy in training is beginning to translate to the pitch, with the performance against Tottenham the best example so far of how the coach wants his team to press.

“For me the demands on the players and positions are the same,” explained Iraola.

“I don’t give different instructions to one player because he is more expensive than another player 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 maximise the collective side of this.

“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.”

Andoni Iraola knows he will have to rotate

CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

While it is not a new concept for Iraola to have more than one game a week, there is increased pressure at Liverpool to win every game.

As the coach alluded to above, not every player can maintain the intensity he requires multiple times per week.

Therefore, he will have to learn to rotate while still picking up points: “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.

“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.”

Against Tottenham, Iraola made 10 changes as the Reds progressed in the Carabao Cup and we expect at least a further eight changes for the match at Bournemouth.

Last week, Liverpool couldn’t repeat their performance produced against Atletico when Fulham arrived three days later.

Let’s hope they can better carry their momentum from Tuesday’s win into the Premier League this time around.

Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool substitutes Alexis Mac Allister and Víctor Muñoz (R) preparing to come on during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Wirtz, Klopp, Iraola circle collage

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