Last Updated: August 01, 2023, 09:48 IST
Liverpool’s new captain Virgil van Dijk (Reuters)
Virgil van Dijk said he is looking to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors and maintain the standards of consistent success at Liverpool.
Liverpool have appointed Virgil van Dijk as the club’s new skipper, with fellow defender Trent Alexander-Arnold taking on the vice-captain’s role, the Premier League club announced on Monday.
The 32-year-old Virgil, who also captains the Netherlands national team, will replace Jordan Henderson after the England midfielder joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq last week, ending a 12-year stay at Anfield.
Van Dijk has made 222 appearances for the Merseyside giants since moving from Championship side Southampton in 2018.
“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 said in a statement.
“I will do everything in my power and what I can do to make everyone proud and happy with me and the football club.”
“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. 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,” he added.
After narrowly missing out on an unprecedented quadruple in the 2021-22 season, winning two domestic cups, Liverpool will not feature in the Champions League for the first time under Juergen Klopp since the German manager’s first full season in 2016-17.
“We also have to be a bit patient but we want to be there and we want to show what we’re capable of because we have a fantastic group of players, staff, fans, stadium…,” Van Dijk added.
“It’s all about doing it together with the consistency and hopefully we can show it.”
Alexander-Arnold, 24, joined Liverpool’s academy in 2004 and captained the club across the youth level. He will take over charge from veteran James Milner, who joined Brighton & Hove Albion in this transfer window.
(With inputs from Agencies)
