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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed the Premier League champions will have Christmas Day off for the first time in his career at the club.
After Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Tottenham, the Reds are next in action on December 27 when they take on Wolves.
Usually around the festive period, most teams play on Boxing Day, meaning they are forced to come in and train the day before.
Yet with only fixture falling on December 26 in the Premier League this season, boss Arne Slot has taken the decision to let his squad celebrate with their families on Christmas Day.
‘We have Christmas Day off which is very nice of the staff,’ van Dijk said following the Spurs game.
‘It’s a nice change. I’ll be at home on Christmas Eve too and I’m really looking forward to it.
Virgil van Dijk revealed Liverpool’s squad have been given Christmas Day off by boss Arne Slot
‘The staff always have a particular plan for a game. It works well for everyone. It’s special to be off on Christmas Day.
‘I don’t think it’s happened in my Premier League career so far. I’ll make the most of being with my family and enjoy it all.’
The Reds squad held their own Christmas celebrations with a dinner on Saturday night – and there would have been plenty to talk about after they extended their unbeaten run to six matches.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike were enough for Liverpool to secure the three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium despite Richarlison pulling one back late on, although the hosts had both Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero sent off.
And van Dijk revealed he had spoken to Simons, a team-mate for the Netherlands, after the attacking midfielder saw red for a challenge on him.
‘Yeah I spoke to him,’ he added. ‘It’s a chat that no-one needs to know. I don’t think there was any intention to hurt me but obviously he hurt me and the referee and the VAR made the decision to send him off.’
Amid Liverpool’s positive run of form, the Reds are level on points with fourth-place Chelsea, and the Dutchman insisted now is the time for Slot’s side to push on and turn their back on a ‘difficult’ first half of the season.
He said: ‘The aim is to try to win every game ahead of us. Unfortunately this season has had a lot of difficult moments in terms of results and performances as well.
‘But all we can try to do is get better. We’re at a club where we have a lot of opportunities to show what we can do. We focus on Christmas and being with the family, and then we focus on Wolves.’
