Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Virgil van Dijk was handed the responsibility of being Liverpool captain in waiting following a vote among the squad.
The Dutch defender was instated as the Reds' captain for the club's Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade in midweek, with Jordan Henderson injured and James Milner still recovering from a lingering hamstring complaint.
Although Klopp has previously turned to the longest serving player to lead his side in the absence of his designated captain and vice-captain, the Liverpool boss explained this time round he put the decision at the feet of his players.