Sport · Singapore Bureau
Liverpool must adjust to congested fixture schedule, says Fulham boss
Fulham manager Marco Iraola suggested Liverpool's tired display in their goalless draw was a result of fixture congestion, with the Reds having played a Champions League match just days earlier.
LSN Singapore ·
Marco Iraola believes Liverpool must learn to adapt to England's demanding fixture schedule after the Reds laboured to a 0-0 draw with Fulham on September 12, less than 72 hours after their Champions League opener.
The Fulham manager's comments highlighted the challenges posed by back-to-back European and domestic commitments at the start of the season. Liverpool's lack of sharpness in the goalless stalemate drew attention to the physical toll of quick turnarounds between high-intensity matches.
"That's football in England," Iraola said, addressing the congested calendar that has long been a point of contention among Premier League managers. The fixture scheduling places considerable strain on squad depth and player fitness, particularly during European campaign weeks.
Liverpool's inability to break down Fulham's resolute defence suggested the effects of midweek continental competition. The draw left both sides with a point apiece as they navigate the opening weeks of the season.
The result underscores the ongoing debate about fixture congestion in English football and the need for clubs to manage their resources effectively across multiple competitions.