After last season’s struggles, a rejuvenated and reshuffled Liverpool squad is hoping to take the club back to the heights they have known in recent years, led by a new captain, Virgil van Dijk. A fifth-placed finish in the Premier League, a last-16 exit in the Champions League and early elimination from domestic cups meant 2022-23 was a season to forget for Liverpool but a win at Chelsea on Sunday would help the healing process.
A refresh was clearly required and a number of experienced players have departed the club, leaving a void to be filled. One person stepping up is Van Dijk, who has become the third person to be named Liverpool captain in 20 years, taking over from Jordan Henderson after his move to Al-Ettifaq, where he will work under his predecessor, Steven Gerrard.
The armband carries weight at Anfield, and Van Dijk does not plan to be the leader of an underperforming team. “The feeling is that we have to make it right,” he says.
“Last year was very disappointing – it hurts. It hurt over the summer. You reflect on the year you’ve had as a team and it hurts and especially because you’re not used to it. You know you’ve been playing at such a high, consistent level for so many years. And then all of a sudden last year, apart from the run-in, was very disappointing. But that’s life as a whole and hopefully it won’t happen this year.”
In addition to his new role, Van Dijk will need to maintain the high standards he has set himself in his day job at centre-back. In front of him, the landscape has changed.
Five central midfielders have left – Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho, Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai arriving, meaning Van Dijk has new relationships to forge.
“I’m very excited for what I’m seeing, the players coming in,” he says. “They are high quality, good guys and they can definitely help the club go forward. It will definitely take some time, that’s just normal, and hopefully it will happen as soon as possible. They will get better and we all understand each other every day much better than we did before, so it’s looking exciting in my opinion.”
The 32-year-old Dutchman was the obvious choice to replace Henderson, as he already performs the same duties for his country. “I couldn’t dream of this when I was young – to be the captain of Holland and the captain of Liverpool,” he says. “Being where I am today, that is the beauty of life. Things are happening and it’s special. I won’t take it for granted. The hard work will start now and I’m looking forward to it.”
Van Dijk will instil his own style of captaincy, naturally taking in elements of those he has worked with previously. Trent Alexander-Arnold will be his vice-captain, another member of a five-man leadership group, alongside Mohamed Salah, Alisson and Andy Robertson. They will be aiming to replace the experience that has been lost – these are the players others will look to in crucial moments and they are desperate to set the best example of what a Liverpool player should be.
“When I feel like speaking I’ll definitely speak up, that’s how it is,” Van Dijk says. “You shouldn’t force yourself into doing things you are not comfortable doing – but I’m comfortable speaking in front of the boys and I will definitely do so whenever it’s needed.
“But it also counts for other players, for the guys who were around me and the leadership group, it’s also an important task for them. I’m the captain and I feel like I have that responsibility and I will definitely do that.”
The season starts at Stamford Bridge, where they will be aiming to improve on last August’s efforts, when Liverpool failed to win any of their opening three matches to put them immediately on the back foot. Van Dijk says: “The message for the season is just to give everything we have and show a reaction from last year and enjoy the ride.”
The Dutchman will be hoping this particular rollercoaster has more ups than downs.
