Liverpool FC
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 20:28
Virgil van Dijk is the new captain of Liverpool. The defender takes over the band from Jordan Henderson, who has left for Saudi Arabia.
32-year-old Van Dijk is only the second captain in Liverpool’s 131-year club history who is not from Britain or Ireland. The Fin Sami Hyypiä was the first between 2001 and 2003.
“Of course I am already captain of the Dutch national team. That is already a great honor. The fact that I can now also wear the captain’s armband at Liverpool is something that I cannot describe at the moment,” says Van Dijk, who will play with his club in Singapore is staying for a training camp.
“I am very proud. This is also a big moment for my wife and children,” said the central defender, who has played 222 games for the English top club since his arrival in 2018.
Pro ShotsOud-Willem II’er Sami Hyypia was Liverpool’s first captain from the European mainland
Trainer Jürgen Klopp has appointed right back Trent Alexander-Arnold as reserve captain. Last season, Van Dijk was reserve captain behind Henderson.
Disappointing season
Van Dijk won seven trophies with Liverpool, including the Champions League and the English title. But last season was quite disappointing with a fifth place in the Premier League, says Van Dijk.
“But the end of the season was not bad. Although in the end we did not achieve anything and that is very disappointing,” says Van Dijk. “During the short summer break you look back on the season, as a team and individually. That hurts a lot. As a person you have your pride, you feel that it could have been a lot better.”
Liverpool will get a chance for revenge from August 13, then the new season will start with an away match against Chelsea. The team of Van Dijk and striker Cody Gakpo has strengthened itself this summer with midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai (70 million euros) and Alexis MacAllister (42 million).
2023-07-31 18:28:40
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