Jurgen Klopp Chooses Trent Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool’s Vice-Captain
When it came to choosing his next vice-captain, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp felt that Trent Alexander-Arnold “represents everything” about the club. Virgil van Dijk is the new captain of Liverpool, and Alexander-Arnold will be wearing the armband in Van Dijk’s absence and assisting the centre-back in his duties off the field.
Klopp had a number of options to choose from when selecting his vice-captain, including Andy Robertson, Alisson, and Mohamed Salah. However, he chose to go with Alexander-Arnold, who will turn 25 in October. Explaining his decision in an interview with LiverpoolFC.com, Klopp outlined why he chose his No. 66.
“The vice-captaincy, I just think Trent is ready,” he said. “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. 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.”
Raised in West Derby and on the books at Liverpool since he was six years old, Alexander-Arnold is following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard. The decision to promote Van Dijk to captain was arguably the right one, and now there is a succession plan in place for a player who simply gets the club, inside and out.
Klopp was confident in his decision to make Alexander-Arnold vice-captain. “I think it’s a really good decision,” he said. “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.”
Alexander-Arnold has been with Liverpool since the beginning of Klopp’s tenure and has grown immensely as both a player and a person. Klopp has full faith in Alexander-Arnold’s abilities and believes that he will have a lot of joy with him in his new role.
Klopp’s decision to make Alexander-Arnold vice-captain of Liverpool is a bold one, but one that makes sense given his commitment to the club and his growth as a player and person. Alexander-Arnold represents everything that Liverpool stands for and is ready to take on the responsibility of being vice-captain.