Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk named new Liverpool captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold vice-captain

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 31 July 2023

Virgil van Dijk named new Liverpool captain, Alexander-Arnold vice-captain

Liverpool appoint Virgil van Dijk as their new captain to succeed Jordan Henderson, while Trent Alexander-Arnold takes over from James Milner as vice-captain.

Liverpool have named Virgil van Dijk as their new first-team captain, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has taken on vice-captain duties.

The Reds lost long-serving skipper Jordan Henderson to Al Ettifaq earlier this summer, while second-in-command James Milner departed upon the expiration of his contract in June.

A number of candidates were tipped to throw their hat into the ring for the armband, including the likes of Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Alisson Becker.

However, Van Dijk - who already captains the Netherlands - was considered one of the prime contenders for the role, and the centre-back has now been confirmed as the Reds' new skipper.

"[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," Van Dijk told liverpoolfc.com.

A new chapter begins with the armband 👊 pic.twitter.com/mvfED7B1eE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 31, 2023

"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."

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold - who had already formed part of Jurgen Klopp's leadership group - will take over from Milner as Liverpool's new vice-captain, having flourished in his newfound hybrid role during the business end of the 2022-23 season.

The 24-year-old previously wore the armband for Liverpool in a Champions League clash with FC Midtjylland in December 2020, and Klopp informed him that he would become Van Dijk's lieutenant during an open training session in Singapore on Saturday.

"It's a proud moment for him obviously and his family. I think he's in a phase now where he has to make that transition of becoming a big leader for the football club," Van Dijk said of Alexander-Arnold.

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring for Liverpool on May 15, 2023 © Reuters

"I think he will make those steps. And with the help obviously of myself and the others, Robbo, Ali, Mo, obviously the manager, he can make the next step.

"I think to give that responsibility to him could definitely even more benefit him as well. So it's a very good choice. Obviously the others as well, they are as important and we all have to make sure that we take the responsibility.

"It's pleasing. I saw him coming in as a little boy and obviously with loads of quality and loads of potential and he showed it already. Obviously everything that we won we did together as well.

"And now, like I said, he's in that transition of becoming and feeling that responsibility as well of being one of the leaders of the team. It's nice to see. How we also give everything and work for it, that's the standard we have to set in order to be successful."

Liverpool continue their period of summer friendlies against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, in what will be Van Dijk's first match as permanent captain, before the Reds meet Darmstadt 98 at Deepdale in their final exhibition game on August 7.

Klopp's side then commence their Premier League campaign away to Chelsea on August 13, six days before their Anfield opener against Bournemouth.