Former Reds defender Jose Enrique believes Andy Robertson was more deserving of armband as he questions whether Darwin Nunez deserves spot in starting XI.
Jurgen Klopp has made a mistake by naming Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool’s new captain, says former defender Jose Enrique.
Van Dijk has been handed the armband following Jordan Henderson’s controversial move to Saudi Arabia. Despite being considered the obvious choice, Enrique thinks the giant Dutchman should have been overlooked in favor of Andy Robertson – a “good leader” who “always gives everything”.
“I think it was unlikely that the next Liverpool captain would have been anyone other than Virgil van Dijk. But if I was Jurgen Klopp I would have given it to either Andy Robertson or Alisson,” Enrique said. “He might not have wanted to give it to Alisson because he is the goalkeeper and you want it to be someone who is actually playing out on the pitch but I think he would deserve it.
“I don’t think Liverpool really have another Jordan Henderson , but I like Robertson a lot. Robertson is a good leader and he always gives everything. Last year put me in a lot of doubt about Van Dijk and I know he had some injuries but last year I didn’t see the Van Dijk that I expected.
“That’s why I would have put Robertson ahead of him, but Klopp has gone with Van Dijk as the captain.”
Enrique also believes that Darwin Nunez, who struggled at times in his first season at Anfield after arriving from Benfica in an £85m deal, does not feature in Klopp’s strongest frontline.
The Uruguayan has shown some flashes of quality in pre-season but Enrique is forecasting another “tough” season for the man who has inherited Roberto Firmino’s No.9 shirt. Indeed, the Spaniard believes Mohamed Salah’s running mates in the Reds’ first-choice attack should be Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.
“I know he has had an amazing pre-season, and some Liverpool fans will call me crazy,” Enrique added. “[But] for me they are the best three. If Luis Diaz is fit, he has to play, there’s nothing more that needs to be said for Salah, and Jota has scored so many goals.
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