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Even Jurgen Klopp wasn’t sure how Liverpool would react to losing their two major dressing-room voices, Jordan Henderson and James Milner, in the summer.
So far, so good. Liverpool haven’t lacked for leadership at all this season as they’ve joined Manchester City and Arsenal as title contenders, with a winnable game at Luton on Sunday to keep the pressure on.
Virgil van Dijk has worn the armband like he’s had it all his life, assisted by his deputy Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It has allowed Liverpool’s dressing-room to largely run itself, a continuation of Henderson’s time, and allow the manager to concentrate on the big picture.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he is letting his new-look team run the dressing room
Klopp’s side lost two leaders in the summer as James Milner and Jordan Henderson departed
‘We lost Jordan Henderson and James Milner, two captains of this team for years. I was very hopeful that we could deal with but I was not sure. I am happy with the way the boys have gone into it.
‘Especially Virgil. He was part of the leadership group in the last years but he enjoys the new role as well. Trent is growing into it. Robbo (Robertson) more of the same. Ali (Alisson) is a natural leader, not one who is talking the whole week but when he says something it is important and everybody listens.
‘A good leader is only as good as the group you lead and these players are really into it. The new boys are confident but not too confident.
‘The new boys have impact but don’t want to have impact on everything around so they can adjust to the club in some sense. I am very pleased with that.
‘The international captains, they are all different anyway but it’s good to have them.’
Most successful teams have players who run themselves so the manager doesn’t have to sweat the small stuff.
Klopp has benefited from that since he arrived at Anfield in 2015 and is glad things haven’t changed just because of a couple of significant departures.
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Defender Virgil van Dijk is relishing his extra responsibility as Liverpool captain
Trent Alexander-Arnold is also starting to become more of a leader for Liverpool
‘I’m the last door when things get really important but with Milly and Hendo a lot of things didn’t arrive in my office because they sorted it beforehand. It’s always been like that here and it’s kind of the same now because the players are all used to it.
‘We also have (assistant) Pep Lijnders who is another level in between us. It is well set-up. I have to make the big decisions but all the rest is really up to the boys and the culture you create in a team. When things are really (significant), Pep will call me.
‘Most of the things are not important enough to worry about but they need to get sorted because they are important for the boys in that moment.
‘They did that, and they do that now.’
The results of the smooth transition have been evident on the pitch. Van Dyke has become noticeably more vocal and Liverpool have won 12 of the 15 matches they have played in all competitions this season.
The only defeat at Spurs came after they’d been reduced to nine men and had a goal wrongly chalked off for offside.
Luton will represent a different type of challenge but Klopp has been on their side of the fence too. As a player and manager with Mainz, he was the underdog.
‘Luton is one of these stories we all like to have. They have made it to the Premier League and rightly so. But that’s when the real challenge starts.
‘Because I was in that situation – and for quite a long time to be honest – I respect Luton maybe the most for what they are doing and the most for what they are able to do in a game like this. So we will be prepared as good was we can.
‘It’s a fairytale – and I hope they have a wonderful season apart from the games against us.’
