Virgil van Dijk named Liverpool captain vs Karlsruher as Jordan Henderson's Saudi move edges closer

Virgil van Dijk has been named Liverpool captain for the club's friendly against Karlsruher with Jordan Henderson missing amid exit talk.

The second-tier German side host Liverpool this afternoon to open their newly-renovated BBBank Wildpark stadium, an occasion which coincides with a training camp for the Anfield club in Jurgen Klopp's home country. However, they will play the game without their club captain - Henderson.

The England international looks on the cusp of a Liverpool departure, having agreed to an enormous contract that would see him move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard.

And as per Fabrizio Romano, the two club's have now agreed a fee for Henderson, all but confirming the Liverpool skipper is set to end his 12-year stay on Merseyside.

The transfer guru tweeted: "Liverpool and Al Ettifaq just reached an agreement in principle on fee for Jordan Henderson — here we go!

"Henderson already agreed three year deal last week, documents to be checked then time to sign and move to Saudi. Steven Gerrard, waiting for JH"

In turn, Henderson will miss Liverpool's first warm-up game, with the 33-year-old's departure from the club edging closer.

Liverpool captain vs Karlsruher

Van Dijk will captain Liverpool in Henderson's absence. The Netherlands international has led his team out on several occasions in the past, when Henderson and James Milner had been unavailable.

Should Henderson leave Van Dijk is the most likely candidate to inherit the armband, though he would face competition from other senior figures, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker and Mo Salah,

Regarding Wednesday's friendly, Alexander-Arnold starts in midfield alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, who makes his debut for the Reds against Karlsruher. The Hungary international signed for Liverpool on a five-year contract, for £60million.

Meanwhile, fellow new arrival Alexis Mac Allister has been tipped to make his debut from the bench in the second half.

There will also be no involvement from Alisson, Thiago Alcantara, Nat Phillips or Stefan Bajcetic.

Here is Liverpool's starting line-up in full:

Liverpool's starting XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Alexander-Arnold, Clark, Szoboszlai; Diaz, Salah, Nunez

Subs: Jaros, Mrozek, Gomez, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Jota, Tsimkas, Matip, Scanlon, Doak, McConnell, Kumas, Quansah

Topics: Football, Jordan Henderson, Liverpool, Premier League, Transfers, Virgil Van Dijk

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.