Iraola On Liverpool’s Packed Schedule: “We Need Everyone!”
Liverpool’s new manager doesn’t have much experience playing two games every week but is embracing rest and rotation.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had to make several changes for Wednesday's Champions League match against LASK, taking advantage of the opportunity to rest and rotate his players due to an upcoming schedule that includes three games in seven days. Injuries to Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai in the attack and midfield further limited his options, as these players missed both the Sunday defeat to Manchester City and the Saturday game against Brentford.
Iraola expressed uncertainty about whether these injured players would be available for the upcoming Brentford match, which takes place in just 24 hours. He emphasized the need for additional players in this intense period of back-to-back matches, stating that they will need to change the team again when facing Villarreal in three days.
Throughout his career, Iraola's teams have faced the most games during a particular season in 2020-21, when they played 42 league games, four Copa Del Rey matches, and four more to secure promotion via the playoff. In total, Iraola's teams have played 45 games in La Liga, which is his highest number while coaching in a top division.
While the prospect of playing 49 times in the upcoming weeks might have raised concerns, Iraola's statements about prioritizing rest and rotation have been encouraging.
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