2 hours ago
35
Arne Slot has largely moved away from the leadership group model that Jurgen Klopp implemented during his time at the club.
Across his lengthy spell at Anfield, Klopp assembled a designated leadership group in the locker room that consisted of – at various times – Virgil van Dijk, Gini Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Alisson, and Mohamed Salah.
Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner, and Alexander-Arnold are no longer at the club, but in any case, Slot prefers to rely on captain Van Dijk and vice-captain Robertson to set the standards in the squad. The Athletic describes Van Dijk as the "public-facing figurehead" who fronts up to the media after most games, but while he is the clear leader in the group, he is not alone in possessing leadership qualities.
Slot talked up the importance of Robertson as he confirmed the Scot as his new vice-captain in August.
"He has played here so many years, won the league twice," Slot said.
"It was Virgil, Trent, Robbo, and Mo last season.
"Trent left, so there are a lot of logical reasons for [the decision].
"He is a very good player, plays many games, knows what it takes, knows the culture, but also knows the culture of the club and the dressing room.
"Apart from all the quality he shows on the pitch, he plays also a big role in the culture we have here at this club.
"Which is, [as] I said many times last season, the biggest gift I could get from Jurgen."
Alisson is also an important figure, and he faced the media alongside Slot at a press conference ahead of last week's game against Inter Milan, which was no coincidence given the storm that had engulfed the club in the lead-up to the game.
Mohamed Salah's remarks after Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds dominated the build-up to the game against Inter, and Liverpool entrusted Alisson with answering any difficult questions that might have been posed by journalists.
While Salah is the second-oldest player in the squad and clearly a vastly experienced figure in the squad, he is said to be more of a "performance-based leader" than the likes of Van Dijk, Alisson, and Robertson, letting his displays on the field do his talking.
Although Salah is vocal, he does not set the standards in the squad in quite the same manner that his three other experienced teammates do.
English (US) ·