Virgil van Dijk critiques Trent Alexander-Arnold as vice captain

Virgil van Dijk has shared his thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold as vice-captain at Liverpool. The Scouser got the role in the summer.

Liverpool underwent a lot of change this summer. Arguably the biggest was a complete overhaul of their captaincy, with both Jordan Henderson and James Milner departing.

The pair had held their roles as captain and vice-captain respectively ever since before Jurgen Klopp took over. Brendan Rodgers had appointed them back in 2015 - and he was absolutely right to do so.

But now, in 2023, Liverpool had to find two new players for the roles. The staff picked Virgil van Dijk as captain and Trent Alexander-Arnold as vice-captain to general satisfaction all around.

Van Dijk has been exemplary as captain and is reportedly exceeding expectations in his role. But what about Alexander-Arnold?

The Dutchman has now given his own review of Alexander-Arnold and he fully expects the Scouser to grow into it.

“I hope it has helped him [becoming vice-captain],” he said, per the Liverpool Echo. “Whether he likes it or not, and I think he does like it, he has to take that responsibility.

“He will grow into it, he's not the most vocal guy out there but he is learning and doing his thing and it's really good how he copes with it, especially off the pitch and taking that responsibility.

“It is a new role but it suits him as well, especially as a local guy who knows everything about the club, and it's nice for the younger boys who are coming through the ranks as well.”

The feeling is that Alexander-Arnold, like Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson before him, will be vice-captain until he succeeds Van Dijk as full-time captain. Not that he'll have to do that anytime soon.

And so this is a learning experience for him and one that, hopefully, allows him to grow as a person and player before taking the 'top' job. Van Dijk seems to think he's got it in him - time will tell.