Virgil van Dijk claims it would be “a huge honour” to replace Jordan Henderson as Liverpool’s new captain ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The Netherlands defender has been captaining the Reds multiple times in the absence of Henderson, who completed his move to Saudi outfit Al Ettifaq on Thursday.
With the exit of the 33-year-old England midfielder now confirmed, Van Dijk is expected to be handed the armband on a permanent basis.
“Well, on the captaincy that’s not been announced yet so I can’t say too much about it. But obviously, I’ve been captaining the side multiple times already over the last couple of years and it’s always a proud moment to do that. We will see what the future brings but it would be a huge honour to captain the side,” Van Dijk said.
Speaking ahead of Leicester City’s friendly on Sunday in Singapore, Jurgen Klopp said: “That has nothing to do with the general captaincy. Virgil will start the game tomorrow, if nothing happens in training, Virgil will [be] captain of the team tomorrow.
“I know already my decision but the general thing is I have to tell it first to the players before I speak in public about it. But it was like this, I didn’t expect to have that situation a few weeks ago that I have to think about it. So, that’s it pretty much.
“But in general the games so far, I didn’t think before the games about that. In half-time we have easy rules there. Virg was number three last year, so that’s why he wears it when he starts. And in the second half, after that it is who is longest in the club and I think it was most of the time Joe Gomez, if I’m right. So, that’s it.
“It’s an important decision – [an] even more important decision is the general leadership group. Yes, it’s a big change for us, big characters left the club this summer but that’s how it is. Things have to change at one point, it’s always clear.
“You cannot keep things going just because you don’t want to have any kind of changes or development or whatever. Now we have it and now we will have to use it. That’s exactly the plan. I’m really positive about that. I can see a lot of positive signs in training, in the games as well – mostly in training, we train much more often than we play obviously. So, the boys understand the situation and I’m really happy about that.”
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