VAN IS THE REDS’ MAN

JURGEN KLOPP says player power installed Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool’s captainin-waiting.

The Holland defender wore the armband for the midweek Champions’ League blitz of Red Star Belgrade, in the absence of regular captain Jordan Henderson and deputy James Milner.

But the Reds boss explained that he put it to a vote of the players.

“It probably says a lot about Virgil, but it was not my decision. I decided Henderson and Milner will stay as captain and vicecaptain – that is the 100 per cent logical thing to do.

“Then I said the next two, the players can vote and now the two Dutch guys are in the row. The team decided No.3 for Virgil and No.4 for Gini Wijnaldum.”

Van Dijk (below, with Klopp) could keep the armband with Henderson ruled out against Cardiff.