Liverpool have confirmed Virgil van Dijk has been named the new club captain, with Trent Alexander-Arnold taking over vice-captain duties.
The towering centre-back was the natural favourite to become the new skipper after the departures of Jordan Henderson – who had held the armband from 2015 – and vice-captain James Milner – who joined Brighton when his Reds contract expired.
Speaking to the club’s official website about being given the armband, Van Dijk 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.”
Van Dijk joined Liverpool in January 2018 for a whopping £75m but has more than lived up to that price tag during his time at Anfield.
The centre-back proved to the catalyst for a period of success under Jurgen Klopp, lifting the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup during his tenure this far.
What we know
- Defender Van Dijk has been named club captain at Anfield
- Alexander-Arnold is the new vice captain
- Jordan Henderson and James Milner left earlier this summer