Liverpool give Christmas Day off as van Dijk reveals first-ever gesture at the club
Arne Slot breaks with tradition by granting the squad Christmas Day off after a 2-1 win at Tottenham; van Dijk says it’s the first such Christmas break of his Liverpool tenure as the Reds chase momentum.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk revealed that Liverpool will have Christmas Day off for the first time in his Liverpool career after their 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. The win extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run to six matches and left them level on points with Chelsea, who sit fourth in the Premier League table. Liverpool are next in action on December 27 when they travel to face Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the only league fixture around the festive period scheduled for December 26 this season.
Liverpool’s squad had celebrated their festive period with a club dinner on Saturday night, ahead of a break that Arne Slot has described as a special gesture to the players and their families. Van Dijk said the staff always have a specific plan for each game, and this year’s plan included taking Christmas Day off. He added that he would be at home on Christmas Eve and was looking forward to spending time with his family.
The talking point from the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was Liverpool’s resilience and finish. Goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike gave Liverpool the lead, while Richarlison struck late for the hosts to set up a nervy finale. Tottenham also had Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero dismissed, capping a chaotic afternoon that Liverpool navigated to secure a third win in their last six fixtures.
Van Dijk spoke afterward about his conversation with Simons following the red card. He said the discussion was private and stressed that there appeared to be no intent to harm him; he noted that the officials and the video assistant referee made the decision to send Simons off. The incident underscored the competitive edge in a match that swung on discipline and decision-making in the heat of the moment.
Amid Liverpool’s improving form, Van Dijk urged his teammates to maintain the momentum. The Netherlands captain stressed that the aim is to win every remaining game, acknowledging that the first half of the season had its difficulties in terms of results and performances. He said the club has opportunity to show what it can do and that the focus now is on Christmas with family, followed by the trip to Wolves.
Liverpool’s results have them in striking distance of the top four, and the Dutchman reiterated that the team should build on this hard-won win and carry the mood into the Boxing Day period and beyond. Slot’s decision to give the squad a respite on Christmas Day marks a noticeable shift in approach for a club accustomed to training through the holiday period, and it comes as Liverpool seek consistency to sustain a late-season push.