Iraola names Alisson among Liverpool captains but bans armband

On a crisp Sunday morning at St. James Park, Liverpool FC prepares to launch its Premier League campaign, while goalkeeper Alisson Becker readies to serve as one of the team’s captains, a role clarified by new head coach Andoni Iraola, who warned the armband will likely stay off his sleeve.

The Premier League has recorded a historic number of new coaches this season, and Andoni Iraola arrives as Liverpool's latest appointment. He confirmed that Virgil van Dijk will act as the squad’s first captain, with Alisson Becker added to the leadership group.

Captain lineup confirmed

— Sim, nós tomamos uma decisão. Os capitães serão Virgil, Alisson, Joe Gomez e Szoboszlai, explicou o treinador, adding that the goalkeeper will not be able to wear the armband because of the new rule. The announcement placed Alisson alongside Joe and Szoboszlai as vice‑captains.

— Basicamente, se acontecer alguma coisa na grande área do outro lado, o árbitro teria que explicar para o capitão o que houve, todas as decisões. Mas eu queria que o Alisson sentisse que o valorizamos, disse Areola, noting the many disadvantages of a goalkeeper serving as captain under the rule introduced in March 2025 that only captains may speak to the referee.

Rule restricts goalkeeper armband

Alisson rose in the captain hierarchy after left‑back Andy Robertson departed for Tottenham, moving from third in the line of succession last season to a vice‑captain role under Iraola. The coach stressed that, because the Brazilian spends most of his time inside his own penalty area, the new communication restriction makes it difficult for a goalkeeper to fulfil the captain’s duties.

Since joining Liverpool FC in the 2018/19 season, Alisson has amassed 333 official appearances and collected seven trophies, including two Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup, one Champions League and one Club World Cup.

Liverpool opens its Premier League 2026/27 season this Sunday against Newcastle at St. James Park, after finishing fifth in the Campeonato Inglês last campaign. Confira a tabela do Campeonato Inglês 2026/27 for the full league picture, as the club embarks on a new leadership structure that could reshape on‑field communication.