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Liverpool’s leadership group are set for a significant shake-up following the departure of respected members of the dressing room Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah.
Andy Robertson means slightly more due to the fact that he was the vice-captain of the club, meaning Iraola will now have to choose a player to fill that role now that the Scotsman has departed.
The left-back’s exit marks the end of an era at Anfield. The Scotland interntional established himself as one of the club’s most influential figures both on and off the pitch during his time on Merseyside, earning respect within the dressing room for the standards he set and the consistency he showed.
His departure from Liverpool has been common knowledge for some time, but the confirmation arriving that he is officially heading to Tottenham Hotspur is a fascinating new reality that we now step into.
The importance of the vice-captain role should not be underestimated. While Virgil van Dijk remains captain, the player selected to serve as his deputy is often viewed as one of the key voices within the squad, setting standards during training and helping maintain the culture expected at a club competing for major honours every single season.
Speaking on the situation, Paul Joyce has made it clear that the decision Andoni Iraola will now have to make is not a straightforward one.
In a recent article for The Times, Joyce wrote: “Iraola must select a vice-captain after the departure of Andrew Robertson on a free transfer, and, in truth, not many candidates leap out. There are certainly not many in this Liverpool squad who set the benchmarks every day.”
It could be argued that several senior players posess the experience required for the role, but the vice-captaincy has traditionally gone beyond longevity alone.
The position demands professionalism and the ability to influence and drive standards throughout the squad.
The decision that Iraola makes could offer an insight into Iraola’s vision for Liverpool. Choosing an established senior figure would provide continuity, whilst appointing a younger member of the squad could signal a shift towards building a new leadership core for the future.
Liverpool supporters will now wait to see who Iraola trusts to step into one of the most important roles behind the scenes as the Reds enter a new chapter.