Liverpool's new leadership group as Trent Alexander-Arnold decision explained
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shed more light on the Reds' leadership group after reaching a decision on the captaincy.
Jordan Henderson had skippered the side since 2015, taking over from Steven Gerrard shortly before Klopp was appointed as manager and retaining the role for eight years. With the England international's move to Al Ettifaq, though, it was time for a new man to take over.
That man is Virgil van Dijk, with the Netherlands captain taking on the same role at club level. The former Southampton defender will receive support from his colleagues, though, with Trent Alexander-Arnold named vice-captain as part of a wider leadership group in place at Anfield which also includes Andy Robertson, Alisson and Mohamed Salah.
"So, the thing is that the leadership group is Virgil, Trent, Robbo, Ali and Mo, and they all have, like, captain's potential," Klopp told club media, explaining the group was put together after losing senior star James Milner as well as Henderson. "So it's not that I now sat there and had to make a decision against somebody.
"I just had to make sure that we make the right decision, and these five players will have a massive role. The vice-captaincy, I just think Trent is ready. He is our Scouser, he is playing for me pretty much since the beginning, if not then half a year later he was with us. He improved, he developed as a player and as a person massively."
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Have Liverpool made the right choices with their leadership team? Have your say in the comments section
Trent Alexander-Arnold has received the backing of Jurgen Klopp (AFP via Getty Images)Liverpool's first Premier League game with their new leadership group will come against Chelsea on August 13, with Van Dijk's first home league game as club captain arriving six days later against Bournemouth. The trip to Stamford Bridge will see both teams line up with a new skipper, with Chelsea working on naming a successor to Cesar Azpilicueta.
"I wanted him to be in that role, we spoke about it and he was more than happy to take it because, again, it's important that the boys understand the work behind the honour, let me say it like that," Klopp continued. "I think it's a really good decision.
"Not all my decisions I am always happy with afterwards but with this one I know I will be. I will stay happy because he's not only representing that slightly younger generation, he's representing everything about this club, knowing every person in this club, knowing every driver in the club, knowing really everything – and I think this is really important.
"And I'm happy to watch and be beside him when he makes the next steps in his development. I think we will hopefully have a lot of joy with this boy and with the new role he should feel the trust we have in him and let's see where that leads to."
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