Beyond the Goals and Trophies: The Hobbies of Liverpool's Football Stars

by Josh Weiss

The Liverpool Football Club has a storied history, with a loyal following of fans who have supported the team through thick and thin. 

As fans, we tend to focus on the goals and trophies that the team has won, but there is more to football than just the game. Many football stars have hobbies and interests outside of the sport that make them unique individuals.

Knowing the personal lives of football stars is important, as it allows fans to see them as more than just players on the field. Understanding their hobbies and interests gives us a glimpse into who they are as people and how they spend their time off the pitch.

This knowledge can deepen our appreciation for them as individuals, and not just as members of a team. Everyone has hobbies, and at The Anfield Shop, we have personalized merchandise to help you enjoy them, such as:

That is why we aim to provide insights into the hobbies and interests of Liverpool's football stars. 

From James Milner who practically lives in a gym, to Mo Salah who is keen on perfecting his yoga moves, these are some of the favorite hobbies of Liverpool’s favorite players, beyond the goals and trophies.

1- Thiago Alcantara: Travel

There are several Liverpool Football Stars who love to travel, but one notable player is Thiago Alcantara. This Spanish national, whose journey to Anfield began in 2020, has explored various countries throughout his career, from his time in Barcelona, Spain to Liverpool, United Kingdom.

He has mentioned in interviews that he enjoys experiencing new cultures and trying new foods. Thiago's love for travel and exploration is not only a way for him to unwind and gain new perspectives, but it can also be seen as a way to broaden his horizons and potentially bring new ideas and inspiration to his game.

In addition to his love for travel, Thiago has also spoken about the importance of learning new languages in order to better communicate with teammates and fans from different parts of the world.

His fluency in multiple languages, including Spanish, Catalan, English, Portuguese, and Italian, has helped him to build strong relationships with his teammates and fans.

Thiago's passion for travel has also been reflected in his social media presence, where he often shares photos and updates from his travels. From exploring the streets of Paris to admiring the architecture in Rome to vacationing in Positano with his family of four, Thiago's travels provide fans with a glimpse into his personal life and interests beyond football.

For Liverpool fans who share Thiago's love for travel, his experiences can serve as a source of inspiration for their own adventures.

Journal your first visit to Anfield on the travel notebooks from our store.

2- Virgil van Dijk: Video Games

Virgil Van Dijk in the 22/23 Home Jersey

Van Dijk's love for video games extends beyond just playing them. He has been featured in several video games himself, including FIFA 20 and PES 2020, where he appears as a playable character.

He has also shared on social media his excitement for upcoming video game releases and has even expressed interest in creating his own video game in the future.

For instance, in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he stars in a Nike ad. In an Instagram post, he quips, “I got to play against my idol,” referring to Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. The latter appeared as CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery).

Gaming is a way to unwind and relax after a long day of training and matches. It can provide a mental break for athletes and help them to recharge, which can be crucial in maintaining their performance on the field.

Furthermore, Van Dijk's gaming passion has led to collaborations with brands in the gaming industry, such as the gaming chair company Secretlab. Van Dijk has even designed his own custom gaming chair with Secretlab, which features his signature and the Liverpool logo.

He also collaborated with Nike on the Roblox game, NIKELAND. It gives fans a chance to meet him (and other football players) on the pitch in a 3D football experience.

His love for video games gives us a sneak peek into his personal life, as he is fun-loving and a child at heart. It is also an inspiration for Liverpool FC fans looking for merchandise related to the player's hobbies and interests.

The Anfield Shop, which is the official merchandise store for Liverpool Football Club in Northern America, offers a variety of tech accessories that would be perfect for fans who share this gamer spirit, such as a licensed Liverpool FC Xbox Series X controller cover, LED gaming headset, and other tech accessories.

Liverpool FC Keyboard

Liverpool FC Gaming Mouse

Liverpool FC Bluetooth Speaker

3 - Roberto Firmino: Love for Cars

Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino is known for his love for cars, and he has an impressive collection of luxury vehicles.

One of his most prized possessions is his Lamborghini Aventador, which he reportedly purchased for $337,910. The car features a V12 engine that can reach a top speed of 217 mph and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds.

He also owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom that retails for $460,000, a Rolls-Royce Wraith in stunning white starting at $311,329, a Ferrari 458 Italia retailing at $279,900, a Lamborghini Urus costing $235,000, and a Range Rover Sport SVR going for $141,600.

In addition to these, he also has two Porsches: the Porsche Panamera, retailing at $93,850, and the Porsche Cayenne GTS at $113,100.

Firmino's love for cars is not just limited to collecting them, as he also enjoys driving and racing them. In fact, he has participated in charity events and races, such as the famous Gumball 3000 rally, where he drove his Lamborghini across Europe to raise funds for charity.

Despite his passion for cars, Firmino has not let it affect his football career. He maintains a high level of professionalism and discipline, focusing on his training and matches to perform at his best.

His love for cars may even provide him with some motivation to succeed on the pitch, as his hard work and dedication allow him to indulge in his passion for luxury cars.

Fans who share Firmino's passion for cars can appreciate his collection and even look to purchase car-related merchandise on The Anfield Shop, such as keyrings or car accessories such as:

“My running key now has a key ring I won't lose.” Paul, Verified Customer

“I bought this auto magnet for my son who loved it. Get one to put on your car. Spread the word.” Deborah R., Verified Customer

Fun Fact: Robert Firmino just scored Liverpool’s 9,500th goal in their 2-1 win over Bournemouth back in 2016.

4 - James Milner: Fitness and Wellness

Football players need to be exceptionally fit, and maintain a higher degree of wellness than ordinary people. James Milner is known for his dedication to fitness and wellness. He has been recognized as one of the fittest players in the Premier League and has even launched his own health and fitness program called "JM Fitness."

Milner has spoken about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both on and off the pitch, and has encouraged others to do the same. He is one of Liverpool FC’s oldest players (36 years old) so he takes fitness and wellness seriously.

He has shared his workout routines and diet plans on social media and often posts pictures of himself engaging in various fitness activities such as running and cycling.

Milner performs a Bulgarian split squat so easily and flawlessly that you’d be tempted to think it’s simple until you attempt the exercise. His single-leg Romanian deadlift using two heavyweight kettlebells is astounding. 

Without a doubt, his form is impeccable, be it for pre-season training or for club tests. This record-breaking feat has won him the title of "football's pre-season king."

Unsurprisingly, Milner has been the fitness dark horse at Liverpool. Despite his age, he has won the lactate test each year at Liverpool. He does not drink alcohol and has meticulous food discipline. There are fitness gurus, and then there is James Milner.

If you are a fitness and wellness enthusiast, the Anfield Shop offers a variety of merchandise to support a healthy lifestyle. From Liverpool FC fitness equipment such as yoga mats and waist trainers and water bottles, there are many options available to help fans stay active and healthy.

Additionally, the Anfield Shop stocks official Liverpool FC training gear such as training shirts, shorts, and jackets, so fans can feel like they're a part of the team while working out.

5 - Mohamed Salah - Yoga

Mohamed Salah in the 22/23 Third Kit

Known for celebrating spectacular goals with eccentric yoga poses, Mo Salah defended his tree pose by claiming, “I am a yoga man! I do yoga and it just came into my mind.”

There’s something special about his love for yoga: it reveals his openness to other cultures. Yoga originates from Hindu and Buddhist traditions. So, in a way, every time he celebrates with a yoga pose, he spreads a message of unity across the entire football scene and his fans worldwide.

It is worth noting that yoga is used as part of players’ training regimens by top-level clubs, Liverpool included. Other international players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi also practice yoga. It has been used by clubs for training and recovery.

Did You Know? Mohamed Salah has just made his 300th Liverpool appearance at a home game against Tottenham. What a testament to the effectiveness of his yoga routine.

Get Your Favorite Liverpool Football Star's Inspired Merchandise on The Anfield Shop

Now that you know what your favorite Liverpool FC players’ hobbies are, purchase these items from the Anfield Shop to enjoy the same hobbies as they do:

Item Category Description
LFC Stainless Steel Travel Mug Travel A double-walled, stainless steel mug with the Liverbird logo that keeps drinks hot or cold.
LFC Apron & Oven Glove Set Kitchen A cotton apron with the "You'll Never Walk Alone" slogan.
LFC Keyring Car A metal keychain with the LFC crest, "You'll Never Walk Alone" slogan, or Liverbird.
LFC Gaming LED Headset Tech A headset with immersive sound technology, ultra clarity, and noise-canceling features with the Liverbird logo.
Liverpool FC X Yogi Bare Yoga Mat Fitness and Wellness A high-quality yoga mat with the LFC crest and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” inscription that provides extreme grip and excellent cushioning.

The Anfield Shop offers a wide range of official merchandise related to Liverpool FC players’ hobbies and interests such as jerseys, scarves, books, adjustable caps, and other accessories.

Follow us on all our social media platforms to be up-to-date on new trends and releases.

Here is our crew exploring the city of Liverpool:

Club Record at Anfield: 85 home games unbeaten in all competitions. Liverpool did not lose at Anfield between 7th February 1978 to 31st January 1981. 85 games in total, 69 wins and 16 draws.

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