5 reasons why Virgil van Dijk is a future Liverpool captain

#4 At 26, he’s just entering his prime

Unlike Jordan Henderson (above right), van Dijk is a guaranteed starter at Liverpool

When choosing a captain, it can sometimes be tricky to find a balance between picking someone with the right amount of experience, but also the right level of fitness to be playing regularly. It might make sense to choose a veteran who’s been around for years as captain, but if that player is in his mid-30’s already and is injury prone, then how much use is a captain who can barely play? On the flip side, of course, a talented youngster might simply lack experience and the correct temperament.

That’s why van Dijk falls into the perfect category for a strong club captain. At the age of 26 he’s just entering his prime years as a footballer, and assuming he’s unlikely to leave Liverpool in the near future, he could well have at least another 7 or 8 seasons left in him – if not a decade given the advancements in fitness and injury rehabilitation.

By making van Dijk their captain, Liverpool would be selecting a leader who’s likely to be around as a key player in the team – and first choice in his position – for years to come. It’d add stability to the Reds’ squad that they don’t have right now with Jordan Henderson – who isn’t a guaranteed starter – and they’d be selecting a player worthy of following the legacy of past Liverpool captains like Steven Gerrard.