Liverpool’s recent announcement of Trent Alexander-Arnold as the club’s new vice-captain marks a momentous achievement for the young talent.
The news was delivered to Alexander-Arnold personally by manager Jurgen Klopp, capturing the significance of the role.
Taking on the position of vice-captain, Alexander-Arnold will be stepping into the shoes of James Milner, who departed for Brighton during the summer transfer window.
Furthermore, Virgil van Dijk will now take over the role of club captain, succeeding Jordan Henderson.
The promotion to vice-captain is a testament to Alexander-Arnold’s journey at Liverpool. Having emerged from the club’s academy, he has established himself as one of the premier right-backs in world football.
Moreover, his versatility and adaptability have been on display, as he transformed into an inverted full-back, influencing attacks from midfield toward the end of the previous season.
This appointment underscores Alexander-Arnold’s importance to the Liverpool squad and recognizes his leadership qualities and immense contribution both on and off the pitch.
As he continues to evolve and showcase his skills, he will undoubtedly play a crucial role in Liverpool’s pursuit of success in the seasons to come.
And during a training session on the club’s pre-season tour of Singapore, Klopp was there to inform Alexander-Arnold of his latest new role.
Klopp tells Alexander-Arnold he is Liverpool vice-captain
In the heartwarming clip, Jurgen Klopp is seen walking past Trent Alexander-Arnold before he takes a moment to step back and gently place his hand on the right-back’s shoulder.
With a gesture of warmth and support, Klopp proceeds to inform the 24-year-old of his promotion to the role of vice-captain.
At first, Alexander-Arnold seems to register surprise at the news, and his reaction is evident when the camera captures both men’s faces.
The emotions on Alexander-Arnold’s face are clearly visible, reflecting the significance of the moment for him.
The touching interaction between manager and player showcases the strong bond and trust that exists within the Liverpool team, and it further emphasizes the responsibility and respect bestowed upon Alexander-Arnold in his new leadership role.
You can see the full clip below.
The moment @TrentAA found out he was going to be our vice-captain ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hZB0kMPhK3
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 31, 2023
Becoming permanent vice-captain will fulfil yet another ambition for the Reds academy graduate, who captained the senior side for the first time in 2020.
He took the armband for Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against FC Midtjylland, and hinted after the game about his ambition to take up a permanent leadership role in the future.
He explained (quotes viaLiverpool’s official website): “It was an extremely proud moment for me and the people who have helped me do that.
“You’ve obviously got to give thanks to the manager and the staff who chose me to captain the team tonight.
“It was a really proud night for me on a personal note. I think I’ll look back on tonight with fond memories as being captain for the first time.”
Alexander-Arnold will now have the opportunity to create more of those fond memories, if or when Van Dijk is unavailable, by leading out Liverpool once again next season.