Trent Alexander-Arnold Named Liverpool Vice-Captain
Liverpool FC have announced that Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named the club’s new vice-captain. The 24-year-old local boy was given the news during an open training session in Southeast Asia, where Jurgen Klopp outlined his role within the squad’s hierarchy.
The announcement comes following the departures of Jordan Henderson and James Milner this summer, with Virgil van Dijk taking the armband from the start of 2023/24. Alexander-Arnold’s promotion to vice-captain marks a significant step up for the boyhood Red, who has been part of the squad’s leadership group in recent seasons.
The New Leadership Structure
The new leadership structure is the biggest shake-up at the club in recent memory, with the captain’s armband having only changed hands twice in the last 20 years. Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold will be hoping they can replicate the success achieved while Henderson and Milner were in the roles, a spell which included Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup triumphs.
Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Alisson were among the potential options for the vacated vice-skipper position, but Liverpool’s No. 66 got the nod on the road to almost certainly becoming the full captain in years to come. Alexander-Arnold has spoken in the past about his desire to follow in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard in captaining the side as a Scouser and his latest promotion in responsibility takes him a step closer to that dream.
The Hard Work Begins
Van Dijk has typically led the side in the absence of Klopp’s usual leaders and has skippered the side sporadically throughout the summer as the manager has rotated his side in the pre-season friendlies. The hard work will officially begin at Stamford Bridge on August 13 as the Reds kick off their Premier League campaign away at Chelsea.
Alexander-Arnold’s promotion to vice-captain is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the club over the years. He has established himself as one of the best right-backs in world football and is now ready to take on a new challenge as one of Liverpool’s leaders. With Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold at the helm, Liverpool are sure to have a successful season ahead.