There are a great many things aout Liverpool Football Club that one could reflect on with great pride. The numerous trophies, the countless memories, Anfield and more and more.
Today, I am looking back at Liverpool's leadership in recent times. We are looking back at the last five full-time Reds skippers and examining their impacts and how the club fared with them leading.
We start with the current Captain
Virgil van Dijk - 2023-Present
The big Dutchman was a natural choice when the Liverpool armband became available last summer. He was already a vice-captain and his on-pitch leadership qualities were evident for all to see.
His ability to organize a defense has been unrivaled in his time at Anfield and now he has taken that football IQ and inspiration into the rest of the squad.
His first season as Captain was an up-and-down ride for all involved. He received a controversial red card early in the season before returning to a team ravaged by injuries. However, through this, he led the boys to the top of the Premier League table for long stretches while advancing in all comps.
He had his first Captain defining moment in the League Cup Final against Chelsea when several Academy players were on the pitch when van Dijk's brilliant header in the 120th minute won the trophy.
Jordan Henderson - 2015-2023
While his exit was rather unceremonious and littered with controversy, there is no denying the job Hendo did in leading this club during the Klopp Era.
Taking the armband from one of the most iconic players in club history was never going to be an easy task for anyone. Henderson also saw his personal level rise while playing for Liverpool which saw him become more than just an emotional leader.
He found the ability to make his mark on matches whether it was from creating, scoring or defending.
Hendo is the only Liverpool Captain to have lifted the Premier League trophy which in of itself puts him in a special group. Add to that the 2019 Champions League, a Club World Cup and more, he did the job and more for the Reds.
His exit to Saudi Arabia hurt his standing with some fans, but his overall impact at the club was huge.
Steven Gerrard - 2003-2015
Now we come to one of the greatest players, let alone captains, the club has ever seen. Stevie's impact at the club was so massive that his moments of brilliance and will and pure passion have yet to be surpassed by much of anything.
Heroic moments like the above when the club needed him most became commonplace for Gerrard. He was constantly lifting the team by the scruff of its neck and willing them to victory.
He never won the league title, coming close on several occasions, but he won a good haul of trophies, including ol' Big Ears, ensuring that he left a lasting legacy beyond just his outstanding quality as a player.
Gerrard's loyalty and love for the club were always on display for the world to see and it was this devotion that still sways the hearts and minds of Reds fans everywhere. He truly could be the greatest Captain in club history as well as player.
Sami Hyypia - 2002-2003
The big Fin did not have a long tenure with the armband but he was still a vital player during those years.
His first season as the skipper was a rollercoaster to say the least. Personally, he made 56 appearances and contributed to 10 goals.
The Reds went out to eventual runners-up Celtic in the UEFA Cup Quarterfinals. They were stunned by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup 4th round and on the final day of the Premier League season, facing Chelsea with a Top 4 berth on the line, Liverpool went ahead through Hyypia before melting down and throwing away Champions League football.
Early on in the 2003/04 season, manager Gerard Houllier would take the captaincy from Hyypia and give it to a young Steven Gerrard. Hyypia handled it all with class and never wavered in his duties as he was still vice-captain.
Jamie Redknapp - 1999-2002
This might be the strangest Captain's tenure for any club in a long time. Following his appointment to the role in the summer of 99', Redknapp would get injured and miss the majority of the season.
He was technically the club captain during the treble winning 2000/01 season but he did not play a single minute as a result of various injuries hampering him once again.
His final season as Captain he only played a handful of games, as once again, he was ravaged by injury. When fully fit, Redknapp was a fine player and it's a shame he had his Liverpool captaincy ripped away by injuries. It would have been fascinating to see where he could have led the Reds.