Joe Gomez Reflects on Virgil van Dijk’s First Year as Liverpool Captain
Liverpool’s versatile English defender was full of praise in his review of Van Dijk’s first season as club captain.
Much of the focus at the end of the 2023-24 season for Liverpool has understandably been on the departure of Jürgen Klopp, but while the legendary manager has completed his final season in charge at Anfield it was also a first season as captain for Virgil van Dijk.
Taking over for another long-tenured Red in Jordan Henderson, Netherlands captain and best defender in the world Van Dijk added club captaincy duties to his responsibilities last season to good reviews, and Joe Gomez spoke after the season about his teammate’s ascension to the role.
“I’m incredibly happy for him,” Gomez noted. “I can’t put it into words. It’s a massively pressured position to be in, following Hendo’s footsteps after the year we had, a lot of unknowns and uncertainties. Virg has just stepped up and just taken every responsibility that comes with it.
“The little things that people might not see in a training ground when you need to make decisions or enforce moments when it’s like, ‘Lads, we need to be better at this’ or it might be timekeeping, it might be different things that you don’t want to slip out of place.
“Virg has done it in his own way, and it’s made him even more appreciated amongst us as a team. His ability speaks for itself; he’s the best at what he does, he’s the best in the world and probably the best the club has ever had in that position.”
Best not just in the world but in the club’s history is the kind of high bar some will quibble over, but there’s no doubt Jürgen Klopp’s best sides have had some of the best players who have ever worn the red of Liverpool Football Club—and no doubt Van Dijk is amongst the very best of Klopp’s players.
Now, it will fall to Van Dijk to continue in his captaincy by aiding the club in their next transition: the one away from Klopp and to new manager Arne Slot, who arrives highly regarded after three seasons reviving the fortunes of Feyenoord in the Dutch top division.
“It’s been a joy to watch,” Gomez added of Van Dijk’s qualities as club captain. “He has taken it more than in his stride. I’m so happy for him and I’m sure he’s incredibly proud to be captain of his country and his club. The way he does it speaks for itself.”
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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