The uber-professional, tunnel-visioned Virgil van Dijk could probably write a best-selling book on high performance, psychology and physical recovery, such is his knowledge of the subjects.
But this week’s methods of getting over a setback have been slightly different. After the heartbreak of a European exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the Liverpool captain might have wanted to curl into a ball at home and feel sorry for himself. But instead he moved past it — thanks to Fantastic Mr Fox and a science project.
There were still the ginger shots in his smoothies, late-night sauna sessions and aerobic exercises in the swimming pool, but the Dutchman knows family time is better for the mind and soul than any physical or mental recovery techniques.