Virgil van Dijk has been confirmed as Liverpool’s new captain.
The Netherlands international takes on the role from Jordan Henderson, whose eight-year stint as skipper ended when he completed a £12m move to Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq last week.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been selected as the new vice-captain with that role vacant since James Milner left at the end of last season and subsequently joined Brighton on a free transfer.
The decisions were taken by manager Jurgen Klopp rather than a vote of the playing squad.
Your new Reds captain… @VirgilvDijk 🙌 pic.twitter.com/eN3lFlFO9l
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 31, 2023
Van Dijk was always the front runner to be handed the armband having been third in command when Henderson and Milner were still at the club.
The former Southampton defender admitted prior to Sunday’s 4-0 win over Leicester City in Singapore that being handed the captaincy would be “a great honour”.
Upon the announcement he said: “(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.
“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.
“It’s just something that makes me very proud and I will do everything in my power and what I can do to make everyone proud and happy with me and the football club.”
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign against Chelsea on Sunday, August 13.
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(Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
