Second-choice left-back Kostas Tsimikas captained Liverpool during Wednesday's Champions League tie against LASK in Austria — even though vice-captain Alisson started in goal
Alisson did not wear the armband on Wednesday
Alisson did not wear the armband on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)
Kostas Tsimikas wore the captain's armband for Liverpool during Wednesday's Champions League fixture against LASK — despite vice-captain Alisson being in the starting line-up.
With Virgil van Dijk beginning the match among the substitutes, Tsimikas was given the responsibility of leading the side out at the Raiffeisen Arena. Nevertheless, Liverpool fans would be justified in questioning this decision, considering vice-captain Alisson was selected between the posts for the Reds.
However, speaking ahead of the new campaign, Andoni Iraola explained why the Brazilian, notwithstanding his appointment as one of Liverpool's new vice-captains over the summer, was unlikely to ever don the armband, even in Van Dijk's absence.
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"The captains will be Virgil, will be Alisson, will be Joe Gomez, and Dom Szoboszlai," the Spaniard said.
"But I explained to Alisson especially that it's not going to be possible that he wears the armband because with the new rule, I think there is a big limitation if a keeper wears the armband.
"Because if something happens in the opposition box, the referee has to explain to the captains what's happening, all the decisions.
Kostas Tsimikas captained Liverpool against LASK
Kostas Tsimikas captained Liverpool against LASK(Image: Getty Images)
"I had one season with [goalkeeper] Neto [as captain] in Bournemouth, and then you have to start every game to say a different player that can act as a captain, and this is not viable.
"But I wanted him to feel like we value him. I've had enough time, and we will have more time to know each other, but I had to explain also the decision about the armband to Ali because he is a keeper and, unfortunately, they are putting the rules in a way that there is a lot of disadvantages to having a keeper as a captain."
While Tsimikas was restored to the starting XI to skipper the Reds in Austria, Jeremie Frimpong also featured in the defensive line-up.
Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha were also handed starts, with Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Victor Munoz and Virgil van Dijk among those dropping out of the side.
"We are at a part of the schedule where we are having games every three games," Iraola said, explaining his team selection.
"Virgil, of course, wants to play every game. We have him here available from the bench, but I think it's a good game for him to have some rest.
"Trey, Koumas and Rio are young players coming from the academy, yes, but they're first-team players."
Liverpool went on to win the game 6-3, with Bradley Barcola scoring a hat-trick.