Virgil van Dijk impresses Liverpool with changes made as captain

Virgil van Dijk has reportedly impressed staff at Liverpool since becoming captain. He's exceeding all expectations.

Virgil van Dijk always had a tough job in replacing Jordan Henderson as Liverpool captain. The latter was wildly successful in the role - no Reds captain lifted more individual trophies than Henderson.

He'd been captain for the entire rebuild under Jurgen Klopp, helping develop a team over eight years. Van Dijk was stepping into a role that had essentially been done perfectly.

The Dutchman had some experience, of course, as Netherlands captain. Doing it every week for a club - and one looking to rebuild again - is something very different, however.

But the Athletic reports that Van Dijk is exceeding expectations as captain since taking the job in the summer. He's reportedly impressed everyone with how he's 'thrown himself' into the role.

And Van Dijk has gone as far as introducing changes. It was his idea to have a pre-match huddle for the players out on the pitch, wanting a final chance to bring everyone together ahead of kick-off. He also went out of his way to provide help to new arrivals - from where to live to where to eat.

Van Dijk is apparently making himself more available to his teammates, while also particularly impressing Ryan Gravenberch for how he greeted him on his arrival in August.

The report mentions Van Dijk's philosophy as captain - the closer the team is as a unit, the more likely they are to achieve success. It's something he's clearly committed to proving correct.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, too, earns praise in the piece. He's now vice-captain, of course, and has particularly made an impression on young players coming through.

All in all, Liverpool had a tough job in replacing captain Henderson and James Milner. They appear to have performed it perfectly.