Liverpool name Van Dijk captain after Henderson exit

It's been a summer of big change for Liverpool. The Reds lost both the captain and vice-captain as skipper Jordan Henderson left Anfield in July to join Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, and James Milner departed at the start of the summer to join Brighton as a free agent.

Now, as Liverpool have been making midfield reinforcements in the shape of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the time has come to replace their leader on the pitch.

The club announced on Monday night that the honour would go to defender Virgil van Dijk, who has been a mainstay for manager Jurgen Klopp since he arrived from Southampton in January 2018. The Dutch international also wears the armband for his country, and describes it as "something that I'm really, really proud of".

“[It’s] a really proud day for me, for my wife, for my kids, my family. It’s been a special feeling and I can’t really describe it at this point. But it’s something that I’m really, really proud of", he told the club's website.

“Obviously I’m captain of Holland, that was already such a huge honour, a proud moment as well. But also to be the captain of Liverpool Football Club is something that I can’t describe at this point", he continued. 

He is joined in the leadership group by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will now be the vice-captain for his boyhood club. The two were chosen by Klopp, rather than a vote by the players. The German also revealed that top scorer Mo Salah had been added to the leadership group - joining Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Alisson and Andy Robertson.

 

August 1, 2023