Van Dijk Voices Concerns Over Christmas Fixture Congestion

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has expressed frustration with the busy schedule during the upcoming festive period.

Due to commitments in continental and domestic cup competitions, Liverpool is scheduled to play nine games before the year’s end, with three matches within six days between December 20 and December 26.

In a statement in the match program before Liverpool’s UEFA Europa League clash with LASK at Anfield, Van Dijk commented on the challenges, saying, “There are times during the season when games come so thick and fast that it feels like you have no sooner finished one and you start preparing for another one almost straight away. There is no doubt that the coming month is one of those periods.”

He acknowledged the challenge of playing nine games in 27 days but emphasized the team’s collective approach to embracing and overcoming the demanding schedule.

Van Dijk has previously addressed the risks associated with a congested fixture calendar and reiterated the need for football to engage in a conversation about finding a balanced solution for the benefit of players and the sport itself.

Virgil van Dijk has reiterated his concerns about fixture scheduling, emphasizing that the high volume of games in England is contributing to increased injuries among top players. In October, the defender expressed his belief that the schedules are excessively busy, and players, despite being well-compensated, should not compromise their health for the sake of the sport.

“We as players should start saying something about it, contribute to a solution,” Van Dijk stated.

Currently, a staggering 107 Premier League players are sidelined due to various injury concerns as the league heads into a hectic Christmas period. Liverpool, in particular, is missing key players such as Alisson, Andy Robertson, and Diogo Jota.

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