Following the departure of Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk has been designated Liverpool’s new captain
Henderson has left Anfield after 12 years to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, leaving the captain’s armband behind.
The club has since confirmed that Van Dijk will take over as captain, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, 24, succeeding James Milner as vice-captain.
Van Dijk told Liverpool’s website in Singapore, for the first time as captain, “[It’s] a really proud day for me, for my wife, for my kids, for my family.” It’s been a unique experience that I can’t quite put into words. But it’s something I’m quite proud of.
“It’s just something that makes me very proud, and I will do everything in my power and whatever I can to make everyone proud and happy with me and the football club.”
Van Dijk also acknowledged last season’s struggles, exposing the team’s ambition to rebound in 3023/24.
“Last year was a very disappointing year,” he added. “It wasn’t such an awful run-in. Obviously, we did not achieve whatever we had hoped for, which was really frustrating.
“Then you go on a very short summer vacation and you reflect on your season, both personally and as a team, and it hurts.” It’s excruciatingly painful. You have pride in yourself as a human being, and you feel like you could have done a lot better, a lot more consistently.”
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