BREAKING: LIVERPOOL NAME NEW CAPTAIN AND VICE-CAPTAIN

Virgil van Dijk has been officially confirmed as the new Liverpool skipper, with Trent Alexander-Arnold as vice captain.

Van Dijk had previously been third in line as part of the Reds’ leadership group, which has been a feature of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure. Liverpool were already seeking a new vice captain following the departure of James Milner on a free transfer at the end of last season.

However, Klopp was forced into a further appointment when Henderson left for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq last week.

Van Dijk is the captain of Dutch national team

Van Dijk, who is the captain of the Holland national team, has previously been captain of Liverpool in 43 games and assumed duty in the first three games of pre-season.

Alexander-Arnold has been chosen as vice captain ahead of Andy Robertson and Alisson Becker, with the trio forming the remainder of the leadership group with Van Dijk.

Providing his reaction to taking over as club captain, Van Dijk told Liverpoolfc.com: "This is a really proud day for me, for my wife, for my kids, for my family. It’s been a special feeling, and I can’t adequately describe it at this point. But it’s something that I’m really, really proud of.

Obviously, I’m captain of Holland. That was already such a huge honor and a proud moment as well. But to also be the captain of Liverpool Football Club is something that I can’t describe at this point.

“It’s just something that makes me very proud, and I will do everything in my power and what I can to make everyone proud and happy with me and the football club.”

The Dutch defender will therefore lead Liverpool out at Stamford Bridge in two weeks' time when the Reds face Chelsea in their first Premier League match of the season on August 13.

The captaincy became vacant when Jordan Henderson left for the Saudi Pro League. As it stands now the Dutch will be at the helm of the captaincy.