Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has given fans an insight into the strict Christmas Day regime that Premier League stars have to adhere to each festive season. While many people in the UK are unwrapping gifts, sipping on mulled wine and feasting on a delicious turkey on December 25, top-flight footballers treat it as just another working day due to the fixtures lined up for Boxing Day or the following day.

The tradition for many players includes training sessions, focus on tactics and match preparation. Players might manage to sneak in some time for Christmas lunch at home, based on their schedules for Boxing Day – but they’re under firm instructions to keep in check what they consume, adhering to dietary plans, while steering clear of alcohol is the norm.

Carragher, who dedicated 17 years to playing in defence for Liverpool before hanging up his boots in 2013, reminisced about sticking to water during Christmas festivities, regardless of his family’s invitation to indulge in something with a bit more kick. He candidly revealed he was never tempted, thinking one drink wouldn’t affect his game one way or another.

The renowned Sky Sports analyst previously commented: “They’d be like ‘have a drink!’ And we’d be like ‘got a game’. But it didn’t bother me too much. One drink or something isn’t going to do absolutely anything but I’d never drink at Christmas. I don’t understand having one or two – go out and have a good drink, or what is the point? I’ve never drank in the house, ever.”

Arsenal icon Ian Wright recalled to The Sun the surreal feeling of Christmas morning drives, noting: “It’s weird. When you drive on Christmas morning there’s no one there it’s beautiful. Everyone’s really nice, people wave to you in the cars because it’s Christmas morning. Even Spurs fans!

“But when you get to training it’s all the same all the guys have just left their families and it’s just one of those things that you get used to as the years go by.”

Meanwhile, former Newcastle United shot-stopper Shay Given recounted to the Irish Independent his experiences respecting the discipline required over the festive fixtures. Sipping only water on Christmas Day, he pointed out how players scrutinise the schedule, saying: “When you look at the fixtures as a player, you’re looking at Boxing Day and New Years’ Day to see ‘are we home or away?’

“There was a period where Newcastle had about seven or eight consecutive away games on Boxing Day. It felt like we’d been totally jinxed!”

The Premier League hardly pauses for the holiday with 16 teams set to clash on Boxing Day. The exceptions are Brighton, who will face Brentford on December 27, while Arsenal play Ipswich Town that same evening.