Liverpool’s incredible form throughout December has been recognised with both the Premier League Manager and Player of the Month awards heading to Anfield.
The Reds surged to the top of the table and opened up a seven-point advantage during the month, celebrating Christmas and the New Year as the Premier League leaders as a result.
Their efforts have been justly rewarded, with Jurgen Klopp taking the managerial gong and centre-back Virgil van Dijk picking up the players’ version.
Klopp led the Reds to seven wins out of seven in league play—plus a crucial Champions League victory, not counted for the Premier League award—including four clean sheets along the way.
- 1-0 vs. Everton
- 3-1 vs. Burnley
- 4-0 vs. Bournemouth
- 3-1 vs. Man United
- 2-0 vs. Wolves
- 4-0 vs. Newcastle
- 5-1 vs. Arsenal
Klopp beat competition from fellow nominated bosses Maurizio Sarri, Nuno Espirito Santo, Mauricio Pochettino and Manuel Pellegrini.
“It’s nice, the icing on the cake. It was a very successful but difficult month,” he told the Premier League‘s official website.
“Each game felt like the most important one of the season. It was unbelievable. The intensity was massive but that’s what made it a special month.”
Proud to be named @premierleague POTM December! Thanks to all my teammates, staff and fans! ? pic.twitter.com/6vWcMqS8aP
— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) January 11, 2019
Van Dijk, meanwhile, saw off Felipe Anderson, Eden Hazard, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Son Heung-min and Reds team-mate Mohamed Salah.
The Dutchman becomes the first Reds player to win the Premier League Player of the Month this season, with this Van Dijk’s first time winning the award, and he is the first defender to do so since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.
He also scooped the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for November, which Salah (December) and Sadio Mane (August) have also won this season.
Klopp had only previously won the Premier League Manager of the Month once while with Liverpool, back in September 2016.
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