Liverpool’s Merseyside derby clash with Everton was postponed last weekend due to Storm Darragh, throwing a wrench in the Reds’ festive schedule.
Whilst the unexpected Saturday off was good for squad fitness, the rearranged fixture later in the season could cause Liverpool some problems, with the Anfield side already having a hectic December slate with five games coming up in the next 17 days.
With Alexis Mac Allister also due to serve his suspension with Liverpool having missed out against Everton, Arne Slot will be without the Argentine international this weekend against Fulham, a clash that could be pivotal in the Premier League title race.
And captain Virgil van Dijk has now shared what he and the Liverpool squad were thinking after the Everton game was postponed.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk plays during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James's Park in Newcastle, United K...
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Van Dijk does not see Everton postponement as ‘a gift’
Speaking to the press after Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Girona this week, the Dutch international noted that he and the Liverpool squad do not see their postponed game against Everton as ‘a gift’, with the Reds up for the derby at Goodison Park.
With no date set yet on when the rearranged fixture will take place, Liverpool will have to play the waiting game to find out when they can take on Everton in what might be the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
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And for Van Dijk, the Liverpool squad are not seeing the postponement as a lucky break, even with the weekend off giving the Reds time to bring back some players from injury and to better prepare themselves for what’s to come later this month.
Van Dijk said: “We did not see it as a gift. We wanted to play that game. I always want to play and get a result but unfortunately the game did not happen. It was the right decision in terms of the safety for the fans but we will meet and we have to be ready for them.”
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk plays during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James's Park in Newcastle, United K...
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Liverpool might be thankful about Everton postponement later this month
Van Dijk’s comments make sense given how fired up the Liverpool squad were for the derby and the stakes that were on the line for the Reds against Everton, with results on the weekend meaning that Slot’s side are just four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand.
But with five games coming up this month including tricky ties against the likes of Tottenham, Leicester City and West Ham, having the weekend off could go a long way in Liverpool having a successful December and building on their lead in the Premier League.
Indeed, the Reds will want to put some space between themselves and the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea with a game in hand, and winning their December fixtures will do just that for Liverpool, who are in the driving seat for the title.
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