Liverpool is set to be handed the Premier League trophy at last, and Virgil van Dijk will be the one to lift it. But the league’s explanation of the role he will play is surprising at best, and baffling at worst.
It is a long-standing tradition for the captain to take the trophy first. Last time Liverpool won the league, it was Jordan Henderson, who even developed a signature “shuffle” when lifting silverware during his time at Anfield.
This time around, it will be Van Dijk. His one previous trophy as captain came in last season’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, when he shared the moment with departing manager Jurgen Klopp.
That proved to be Klopp’s last trophy at Liverpool, making the gesture all the more poignant. But it’s a relief that Van Dijk gets his own moment in the sun, with this Premier League lift belonging to him alone — unless, of course, he opts to share it with Arne Slot or anyone else.
Ultimately, it’s up to Van Dijk to choose how he wants to lift the trophy. Having said that, the league does have some surprising guidelines on the captain’s role in the presentation.
In what will be news to most fans, the trophy is apparently based on the theme of “The Three Lions of English Football”. Right, if you say so.
The more observant among you will now be asking the obvious question: doesn’t the trophy only have two lions? Ah, well, yes, but that’s where Van Dijk enters the equation.
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
According to the Premier League: “Two of the lions are above the handles on either side. When the captain of the title-winning team raises the Trophy, and its gold crown, above his head at the end of the season, he becomes the third lion.”
I might humbly suggest that one of two things has happened here. Allow me to elaborate.
Scenario 1: The trophy designer was told to base the cup on the Three Lions, but forgot to work in a third one. Some corporate spin followed.
Scenario 2: A bright young spark in the marketing department noticed the trophy happened to have two lions — as luck would have it, only one away from the famous “Three Lions of English Football”! Some corporate spin followed.
In either case, Van Dijk is unlikely to set much store by his upcoming metamorphosis into the fabled third lion. He will be more satisfied with becoming the first Dutchman to captain a Premier League winning side.
There’s also the fact that he has led Liverpool to victory in Slot’s debut season, a rare achievement. Not only that, but the win has ended unprecedented Man City dominance, and with a very healthy points tally to boot.
This should really go without saying, but the Premier League is already a prestigious enough prize without having to play make-believe that Van Dijk is turning into a big cat. But if you ever wondered about the official line on the captain’s trophy lift, there you have it.
