'I simply want a win for Christmas'
Reds goalkeeper Simon Mignolet's festive wishlist for 2013 includes just a single item – a victory over Manchester City for Liverpool when the two sides go head-to-head on Boxing Day.
A 3-1 win at home to Cardiff City at the weekend, coupled with the goalless stalemate between rivals Arsenal and Chelsea last night, means Brendan Rodgers' side top the Barclays Premier League table.
While fans around the world can celebrate their club leading the standings when they wake up on Christmas Day, Mignolet has explained why the squad will not allow any distractions in their pursuit of success.
The Belgian told the Liverpool Echo: "There's no Christmas party for the players this year. We decided that the schedule is just too busy for the moment. We are all focused on the matches we've got during this period.
"Things are going well and we need to keep doing what we're doing. It's about ensuring we are well prepared for the next challenge. If there needs to be celebrations then we will do it when the time is right.
"The party can wait until May. The fact it's Christmas Day doesn't make any difference for us - it's the day before a big game so we will be training.
"Everybody is professional enough in the dressing room to cope with these types of situations. What do I want for Christmas? Just a win on Boxing Day would be great."
Mignolet and co travel to Manchester City on Thursday for a top-of-the-table encounter before a similarly challenging journey to the capital to take on Chelsea this Sunday.
Rodgers' team enter the difficult double-header having won four successive matches - notching 17 goals in the process - but the 'keeper is determined to maintain a singular focus.
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He added: "We've got off to a good start but it's a long season. There are still a lot of games to be played and a lot of things can happen between now and the end of the season.
"We know where we want to be but it's about taking the most we can from every game. Everything is forgotten about after a win. We look forward and as a footballer you are always just thinking about the next test.
"It's a big game against Manchester City and we want to do well there. We'll work hard in training and get ourselves ready for it."