Liverpool has lost its vice-captain and now captain this summer, with Jordan Henderson following James Milner out the
door. Jürgen Klopp has a double call to make.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp faces the task of appointing a new captain and vice-captain for the upcoming season,
following the departures of Jordan Henderson and James Milner.
The loss of these experienced leaders leaves a void in the team’s hierarchy, and Klopp must carefully consider the candidates
to fill these crucial roles. Henderson’s move to Al-Ettifaq came as a surprise to many after his 12-year stint at Anfield.
“It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool,” Klopp said, speaking to the club’s
website. With Henderson’s departure, the responsibility of captaincy is likely to fall on the shoulders of Virgil van Dijk, who
has led the team in pre-season friendlies against Karlsruher and Greuther Fürth.
However, the question remains: who will be Van Dijk’s vice-captain if the Dutch center-back takes over the armband? In the
past, Gini Wijnaldum held this position, leading the team on several occasions during the 2020/21 season.
But with Wijnaldum’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain, Klopp expanded the club’s leadership group through a squad vote.
The newly elected members were Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, and Alisson Becker.
Klopp said in 2021: “We had the three who stayed, and then the players voted for another three,. The three obviously were
Hendo, Milly and Virg, and then the next most votes were for Trent, Robbo and Alisson Becker.
“We had a problem last year obviously from time to time, because we lost so many players that we had nobody on the
players’ committee available anymore, so I thought it made sense to increase this group a little bit. That’s what we did.”
Based on last season’s indications, Robertson seems to be the frontrunner for the vice-captaincy. He wore the captain’s
armband twice, in the FA Cup loss to Brighton and the Premier League defeat to Wolves.
Both Alisson and Alexander-Arnold were on the pitch during those matches, suggesting that Robertson is ahead of them in
the pecking order. However, it remains unclear who stands as the next in line between Alisson and Alexander-Arnold.
Alisson has previously captained the team in matches against Porto and AC Milan in the Champions League, while
Alexander-Arnold’s sole captaincy appearance came against FC Midtjylland in December 2020. Klopp’s decision to hand the
armband to the number 66 caused some controversy, with Mohamed Salah expressing his disappointment at not being
chosen.
Klopp later admitted that he had made a mistake and should have selected Divock Origi as captain that night.
“I was captain for a long time in my career, and what a heck of a job it is because there are not a lot of benefits you get, just a
lot of work with all the things around,” Klopp said in December 2020. “I didn’t feel or do feel the importance of being
captain.”
He added: “I didn’t realize it was that big a story for Trent. The rule here is there is a players’ committee and it is Jordan
Henderson, James Milner, Virgil van Dijk and Gini Wijnaldum.
“I spoke to Mo about it after the game and when I realized it didn’t work out that well, I clarified that and he said it again in
the interview, so not a problem for me.” He said he was disappointed and I didn’t do it on purpose, I just did what I did. If I
made a mistake then it was that Divock Origi was not the captain.”
In the absence of the leadership committee members, Klopp has often turned to the club’s longest-serving player, Joe
Gomez, to captain the team. Gomez has led the Reds in domestic cup competitions over the past two seasons and has also
taken on the duties in recent friendlies.
Klopp has the option to promote new players to the leadership group or maintain the current structure. If he chooses to
expand the group, the players are likely to be elected through a vote among the squad and Egypt captain Salah could be a
strong contender for inclusion in the leadership group, given his influential role on and off the pitch.
Klopp will officially announce the new captain and vice-captain in due course. While Van Dijk appears to be the natural
successor to Henderson, Robertson is positioned as the leading candidate for the vice-captaincy.
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Fabinho’s Liverpool Chapter Closes with Saudi Sojourn
Fabinho Completes Saudi Medical
Fabinho’s Merseyside tale is seemingly nearing its final page. The midfield maestro from Brazil has recently concluded the
“second phase” of his medical check-ups in the glitzy city of Dubai, as reported by Itti Mania, with an image to vouch for it.
Contrary to some media speculation, spearheaded by certain notable names hinting that the Brazilian was yet to jet off to the
Middle East, the evidence seems irrefutable. With a looming £40 million switch to Al Ittihad, Fabinho is poised to become
the latest Liverpool sensation to embrace the Saudi Arabian football scene this transfer window.
Why the Delay?
Al Ittihad’s pursuit of the versatile player wasn’t without its dramas. The transfer roller-coaster had its moments of
uncertainty, predominantly attributed to the Saudi club’s ‘proof of funds’. But as the saying goes, “where there’s smoke,
there’s fire”, and this transfer blaze has certainly been stoked, especially with the medical proceedings underway.
Reds’ Midfield Conundrum
It’s been a whirlwind transfer window for the Anfield side. The arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have
surely been headliners, but the exits of stalwarts such as Jordan Henderson and now, Fabinho, coupled with the departure
of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, and James Milner, have undeniably punctured the heart of Liverpool’s midfield.
Yet, in the ebb and flow of football’s transfer dynamics, one departure often paves the way for another arrival. With
Fabinho’s exit drawing closer, the Reds’ silver lining seems to be their intensified pursuit of Romeo Lavia. Liverpool’s initial
overture of £37 million for the promising 19-year-old was rebuffed by Southampton. But, the Anfield war chest, now
bolstered by Fabinho’s imminent departure, is likely to be wielded again for a heightened bid.
The Clock is Ticking for Klopp
Jurgen Klopp’s renowned tactical ingenuity is facing a fresh challenge. Without a natural holding midfielder, Liverpool’s
game dynamics could be in for a shake-up. Integrating a fresh face, especially next to stalwarts like Trent Alexander-Arnold,
and especially in such a pivotal role, will require time – a luxury Liverpool might not have.
As the sands of the transfer hourglass rapidly deplete, anticipation builds. One thing is almost certain, the confirmation of
Fabinho’s next chapter in Saudi Arabia awaits.