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