Jürgen Klopp gave Georginio Wijnaldum the captain’s armband against Newcastle United and I can’t help but feel it was a slap in the face to likes of Alisson, Trent and Robbo.
He’s a fantastic player and one of Liverpool’s leaders, no doubt, but Wijnaldum is yet to put pen to paper and commit his future to the club and so privileges like captaining the side shouldn’t be available to him.
Klopp did the same thing with Philippe Coutinho when the Brazilian was nearing an exit to Barcelona in December 2017. He was the skipper when Liverpool thrashed Spartak Moscow 7-0.
He grabbed a hattrick himself but he was in a sulky mood as it looked as though Liverpool were set to deny him a dream move to Barcelona in the ensuing winter transfer window.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Liverpool FC and Spartak Moskva at Anfield on December 6, 2017 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Klopp told ITV after the game that Coutinho was the longest-serving player on the pitch and that’s why he was captain but it really felt as though the armband was used as a way to convince the midfielder to stay at Liverpool.
It didn’t work and moves like that cheapen an armband that has a history of being worn by world-class players and leaders loyal to the club. Steven Gerrard, John Barnes and Alan Hansen spring to mind.
We all know how this story ended as Coutinho sealed a record-setting move worth £142m to Camp Nou just 22 days later.
We’re now watching history repeat itself as another Liverpool midfielder is flirting with Barca and while Wijnaldum might have been the joint-longest serving player on the pitch, if he’s not going to commit his future to the club he shouldn’t be captain.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 14: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool reacts after missing a chance during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Anfield on April 14, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have a right to be annoyed at not being made captain. All three would make good skippers and the latter has the greatest case of all as a Scouser and one of the standout players at the club in recent weeks.
Wijnaldum gave the armband to James Milner when he replaced Diogo Jota in the 58th minute. The Dutchman had a good game himself, with WhoScored reporting that he had a 98% pass accuracy.
Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dijk are missing and as two of the club’s most influential players and leaders, Liverpool have suffered. The hope is that next season they will return and be just as impactful as they were before their respective injuries.
