29 July 2023 , 15:20
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Jurgen Klopp has revealed he has made his decision on Liverpool's next club captain - but says he will tell the players first before it becomes public.
The Reds are looking to appoint a new skipper following the departure of Jordan Henderson to Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq on Thursday. The England international held the position for eight years before he decided to join the Saudi Pro League side for £13million on a three-year contract worth a reported £700,000-a-week.
Klopp has a wealth of options to chose from, including Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, who have both stepped up into the position when Henderson has previously missed a match. And the Liverpool boss has already made his mind up on who will replace Henderson in the race, although he refused to reveal the name of the player.
Speaking ahead of his side's game against Leicester on Sunday, Klopp said: "I know already my decision but I have to tell the players first."
Van Dijk has been tipped by many to fill Henderson's role. The Dutchman has been one of Liverpool's most important players over the last five years and is a natural leader both on and off the pitch.
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The ex-Southampton defender was asked about taking over from Henderson in an interview with the official club website, and he claimed it's always a proud moment to lead the side. Van Dijk said: "Well, on the captaincy that's not been announced yet so I can't say too much about it.
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Jurgen Klopp has already selected his Liverpool captain (Getty Images)"But obviously I've been captaining the side multiple times already over the last couple of years and it’s always a proud moment to do that. We will see what the future brings but it would be a huge honour to captain the side.
Van Dijk also had his say on Henderson's departure after the midfielder brought to an end a highly successful 12-year stay at Anfield to a close. During his time on Merseyside, Henderson won every major honour possible, including the Premier League and Champions League.
He said: "Well obviously he is going to be a big miss for us, as a player but definitely as a leader, as a captain. [He is] someone who has been so important for us in our success over the last years, in the success for the club in the last years so we’re going to miss him, we're going to miss him a lot.
"But that's part of football as well, players come and go, and others have to step up now and that’s the reality. But he will missed, I will definitely miss him, and we wish him all the best."