If Virgil van Dijk leaves the pitch at some point during Liverpool's Premier League opener against Newcastle at St. James' Park today (18.30), his vice-captain will naturally take the armband. Or will he?Welcome to the "Liverpool conundrum".The Dutchman has been the Reds' skipper for the last three years, and his role is by no means an issue. Last season, Andy Robertson was his deputy. However, the Scotsman's departure for Tottenham Hotspur left the vice-captaincy vacant.BETTING GUIDE: Newcastle United vs Liverpool, match preview, team news and predictionThe role went to the goalkeeper Alisson Becker, trusted by the new manager Andoni Iraola. And he fully deserved the honor. After all, the Brazilian is the club's joint-second-longest-serving player alongside Van Dijk, right behind academy graduate Joe Gomez.However, here's where things get puzzling: Alisson will be vice-captain, but isn't likely to ever wear the armband?!A shocker! Man United lose against Hull CityDoesn't make any sense? Understandable. Still, there's a logical explanation.Unlike certain other managers, such as Vincent Kompany, Pierre Sage, and Ruben Amorim, who made their goalkeepers – Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich, Dean Henderson at Crystal Palace, and Mike Maignan at AC Milan – captains, Iraola chose not to follow their lead because of one simple rule: only skippers are allowed to approach the referee and discuss major decisions."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 goalkeeper wears the armband."🧤 Andoni Iraola has explained why he couldn't choose only Alisson as his vice-captain ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/YhBG4zEjzy— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) August 21, 2026 "Because basically, if something happens in the opposition box the referee has to explain to the captains what's happening, all the decisions. But I wanted him to feel like we value him," the Spanish tactician said via Daily Mail.To avoid Alisson having to run from one side of the pitch to the other, Iraola named Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai as additional vice-captains.Therefore, the unfortunate Brazilian will undoubtedly play a major leadership role on the pitch and in the dressing room, but will hardly ever wear the captain's armband to prove it.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 1FridayArsenal – Coventry 3-0 (2-0)/Havertz 15, Saka 23, Odegaard 49/SaturdayHull – Manchester United 2-0 (2-0)/Ajayi 17, Mendy 38/Everton – Crystal Palace 2-0 (1-0)/Dewsbury-Hall 42, Barry 53/Ipswich – Sunderland 2-1 (1-1)/Emersonn 24, Clarke 90 – Angulo 39/Nottingham Forest – Leeds 0-1 (0-0)/Stach 88/Brentford – Tottenham 3-0 (2-0)/Lewis-Potter 12, Janelt 33, Kayode 49/Sunday16.00: (2.30) Brighton (3.50) Aston Villa (3.25)16.00: (1.53) Manchester City (5.00) Bournemouth (6.00)18.30: (3.90) Newcastle (3.70) Liverpool (2.00)Monday22.00: (3.70) Fulham (3.80) Chelsea (2.00)***odds are subject to change***