Klopp: Why Liverpool have had so many sodding captains

Matt Stead

Jurgen Klopp says it is “not disrespectful” to have named so many different Liverpool captains this season.

Emre Can wore the armband in the defeat to Swansea earlier this week, with Dejan Lovren having been given the responsibility in the victory over Manchester City.

Simon Mignolet has also had the honour, with regular skipper Jordan Henderson struggling with injuries.

James Milner is vice captain but not a consistent starter, and so the armband has been passed around the squad.

“Jordan Henderson is a perfect captain for us. The vice captain is James Milner but if they’re not on the pitch someone needs to wear it,” Klopp explained.

“On the pitch you need to share responsibility. It was not in my plans to have seven different players [as captain]. I’m not disrespectful about this.

“It can be an important job, it depends how you fill the role.

“At this club it’s maybe a bit different because Stevie was the captain for so long so you talk about who can fill this role.

“I’m really happy about Jordan’s captaincy.

“I just make the line-up and then I realise someone needs to wear the armband.”

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