Virgil van Dijk has challenged his team-mates to “step up” as Liverpool prepare for a new era without Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah.
Both players recently confirmed this will be their final season at the club after nine years, leaving just five matches remaining in their Liverpool careers.
Robertson was appointed vice-captain last summer following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure, while Salah has scored 257 goals and finished as the club’s top scorer in each of his eight full seasons.
Their exits leave a significant leadership void, with captain Van Dijk urging the squad to rise and fill the gap
“Players have to step up,” Virgil van Dijk said. “You grow into that role or you already have it in you, that is something players have to show even more next season.
“After the World Cup, in pre-season, it will be an interesting development in terms of how the manager (Arne Slot) sees it as well and then we have to tackle the season in the best way possible and not have a season like we have had this season again.
“I don’t want to say but I definitely have my opinion [on the who the next vice captain should be] and I always share my opinion.
“The focus is now on finishing the season in the best way possible, the poor season we are having. Today (against Everton) was a good start.
“We have five more games and the focus on what’s next and that’s the World Cup and then focus on a good holiday – because that’s needed – and then focus on pre-season and making next season successful.”
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