The Case For Liverpool’s Next Vice-Captain
It’s been one of the most exciting summers for Liverpool Football Club in their 132-year existence. Following our 20th league title win last season, the Reds have since gone on to bolster their championship winning squad. There have been noteworthy additions such as Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hugo Ekitike, and of course, the mercurial Florian Wirtz. Under normal circumstances, this would easily be a 9/10 window. But with another center back and Newcastle’s star man, Alexander Isak reportedly still on the radar, it seems the Reds are far from done this window. Lost in the shuffle throughout the fanfare is the vacant hole left in the Reds’ vice-captain role.
With the departure of a certain #66 making the spot up for grabs, who would be best suited to wear the captain’s armband in the absence of Virgil van Dijk? I go through the three best candidates and make the case for each one.
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Andy Robertson
Our Scottish Braveheart has been one of our most prolific and longest serving players in the modern era. The Scot has played a massive part in practically all of Liverpool’s iconic moments in the last ten years. His grit, determination, and leadership make him an unquestioned Liverpool legend. He encapsulates the rags to riches story for a footballer. Robbo went from being jobless in 2012 to one of the greatest left-backs in both Liverpool and Premier League history.
Given his longevity with the club and unquestioned level of respect he commands from the locker room, he would seem like the ideal choice. However, with the signing of Milos Kerkez and Robertson himself not being the player he once was, we’re probably going to see a drop in appearances for our Scotsman. Kerkez is the undoubted long-term successor in the position. This reduces the potential impact Robertson might have if he were to wear the vice-captain armband.
Alexis Mac Allister
Our Argentine number ten has steadily risen to one of our best players on the pitch over the last few seasons. He’s arguably just as vital as the likes of Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk. It’s difficult to believe that we managed to pry him from Brighton for a measly £35 million. That might as well be peanuts in today’s transfer market.
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Flash forward two seasons since the transfer, and a Premier League title and League Cup later, there’s no doubt that Mac Allister presents one of our best pieces of transfer business ever. Mac Allister is our unquestioned best midfielder and key to Arne Slot’s system. His leadership for the Argentinian national team is also well known. Coupled with his willingness to do the dirty work in midfield, he’s an excellent choice for Liverpool vice captain.
Mohamed Salah
Our Egyptian King is coming off arguably his best season in a Liverpool shirt, which took some doing, considering he has been one of the best players in the world since he was signed in 2018. Leading the Premier League in both goals and assists last year, Salah has practically a brand new frontline to work with this year. This makes his leadership at the tip of the Liverpool spear more vital than ever.
When you think about “leadership” in a football eleven, attacking players rarely get the armband over the likes of midfielders or defenders. Salah, however, has bled Liverpool red since he was brought to Merseyside. Mo has been there in the highest of highs and lowest of lows. He just gets Liverpool Football Club, and can drag us through the mud single-handedly like Steven Gerrard used to do. There’s honestly something poetic about our best player leading us from the front. Salah hasn’t exactly made it a secret that he sees himself high up the Liverpool leadership contingent. In my opinion, Slot should give him what he wants and make our number 11 the next vice-captain.