Jurgen Klopp has saluted Virgil van Dijk’s leadership qualities – but insists Jordan Henderson will retain the Liverpool captaincy.

The Dutch defender has made a big impact since his £75million move from Southampton in January and was recently appointed Netherlands skipper.

Van Dijk has been touted as a strong candidate for the Reds’ armband but Klopp says Liverpool already have an “incredible” captain in Henderdon whose position isn’t under threat.

“What we need at Liverpool are these kind of players who are leaders,” Klopp said.

“Hendo and Virgil are leaders and that’s cool. But I am not half as much interested in the captaincy role as you all are. I’ve learned a lot in the last few days about the captaincy role in cricket, but I don’t really know what they’re talking about.

“Hendo is doing an incredible job here. If you ask whether I am thinking about giving the armband to someone else then no.

“Do you need more than one player who feels responsible for the whole group? Yes of course. We have them and Virgil is one of them.

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“It’s nice for him that he can be the captain of Holland. But there won’t only be fantastic days for him in that role. Captaincy feels like a joy in the first moment and then from that moment on it’s only work.

(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

“I don’t think if I asked in the dressing room ‘who wants to be captain next year’ that 28 arms would go up. It’s a job to do and it’s not better paid, you don’t get extra money for doing it. There are a lot more duties and not a lot more rights to be honest.”

Van Dijk returned to Melwood on a high this week after scoring his first international goal in a win over Portugal.

Klopp must decide whether to recall Dejan Lovren or partner Van Dijk with Joel Matip once again in today’s clash at Crystal Palace.