Virgil van Dijk has been named as the club captain while Trent Alexander-Arnold was appointed as the vice-captain of Liverpool.
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Liverpool will begin a new era under Virgil van Dijk’s leadership after the Dutchman was named as the new skipper of the club. It was something that was the topic of discussion since the departure of previous captain Jordan Henderson this summer. Add to it, James Milner, who was the vice-captain last season, also left the club to join Brighton in this window. Hence, the club’s supporters eagerly waited to see who will take over the mantle from the departed duo.
As expected, Virgil van Dijk has been named as the club captain while Trent Alexander-Arnold was appointed as the vice-captain of Liverpool. Van Dijk, who is also the captain of the Netherlands men’s national team, gave an insight into how the process happened in the background. “Obviously over the last couple of weeks there’s been a lot of talks about Jordan leaving us and then there’s going to be the captain and the vice-captain leaving over the summer and then there will be changes,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“Obviously personally I was already the third captain of the team in the last couple of seasons and thinking ahead [that] there could be a big chance that I become the permanent captain of the club. Until the gaffer told me, it was obviously, I wouldn’t say a nervous moment but it was still unclear. When he told me, I was obviously very thankful and I want to not only repay him but repay the club as well for their trust and hopefully create good memories. I’m looking forward to the season.”
Van Dijk then shifted the attention to the previous captain Jordan Henderson. Speaking about how he will be a hard act to follow, the Dutchman said, “One-hundred per cent. I think you’ve seen all the reactions of all the players especially and the impact he had on us – obviously not only on the pitch but definitely outside of it. The support he has been, he was always the one that put others in front of himself at times. He’s been so important for the football club and, like you said, he’s a legend and he will stay that as well. I’ve learned so much from him and hopefully I can do him proud as well looking ahead.”
The Liverpool centre-back also spoke about the standards set by James Milner, who was the vice-captain last season. “Yeah, the same goes for Millie [James Milner]. He’s been incredible for the football club. Obviously he didn’t play that much over the last couple of years but his contribution on and off the pitch was immense,” he added.
“The standard he set for the group on and off the pitch, again, was something that we have to obviously carry on and others have to make sure that the standard doesn’t drop. But like I said, I’ve learned a lot from these two guys. And that’s the beauty of life – you experience a lot of things each and every day and you have to take the good things and also sometimes the bad things in order to progress. Hopefully I can show that as well – not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well.”
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