The BREAKING claim that Cody Gakpo is set to be appointed as Liverpool’s new vice-captain is circulating widely on social media but remains unconfirmed and highly dubious as of January 27, 2026 (around 08:38 AM WAT).
The rumor originated from a post by the X account @AnfieldPapers (a fan/satire page that explicitly states in its bio: “don’t take this account serious!”) on January 23, 2026, attributing it to a supposed source “@JamesArthur.” It quickly spread across Facebook fan pages, Threads, and other low-credibility accounts, often with dramatic “BREAKING” graphics. Many reposts treat it as fact, but top-tier journalists (e.g., Fabrizio Romano, Paul Joyce, David Lynch) and official Liverpool channels have issued no such confirmation or even hints at a captaincy change.
Current captaincy facts:
- Virgil van Dijk remains the club’s captain (appointed in 2023 under Jürgen Klopp, retained under Arne Slot).
- Andy Robertson was officially named vice-captain in August 2025 by Slot, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold (who left for Real Madrid). Van Dijk publicly reaffirmed this in recent interviews, stating he speaks to Robertson daily and wants him to stay amid transfer speculation linking the Scot to Tottenham. Robertson is still very much in the role, with no indication of an imminent departure or demotion that would trigger a vacancy.
No credible reports suggest any shake-up in the leadership group. Liverpool’s hierarchy typically involves a structured approach (e.g., player votes or manager decisions), and appointing Gakpo—who joined in January 2023 and signed a new long-term deal in August 2025—would be a surprise given established figures like Robertson (long-serving, Scotland captain), Mohamed Salah (4th captain in some lists), or even Dominik Szoboszlai (mentioned in some future captaincy discussions).
Recent context on Gakpo:
- He’s back from a December 2025 muscle injury, starting or subbing in recent games (e.g., vs. Bournemouth on January 24).
- Form has been mixed—praised for work rate but criticized by some fans for inefficiency in attack, with Bayern Munich linked to a potential €75m bid.
- Slot values him highly (e.g., as a versatile forward and good squad option), but nothing ties to captaincy elevation.
This fits a pattern of viral, clickbait-style rumors on fan accounts—similar to the fabricated Chelsea/Vinícius or other “stunning” claims we’ve seen. X posts show skepticism (e.g., “if true, it’s a strange one,” fan debates favoring Szoboszlai if Robertson leaves), not widespread celebration or official leaks.
For Reds fans in Lagos and globally: Gakpo is a solid, committed squad member with 46+ goals since joining, but vice-captaincy speculation here is baseless hype. If any real leadership change happens (e.g., tied to Robertson’s future), it would break via official LFC channels or reliable journalists first—not random fan pages. The current setup under Slot remains stable, with focus on the pitch amid a quiet January window. Stay tuned to verified sources; this one is almost certainly not happening. (Word count: 652)
