Alisson Becker has become one of Andoni Iraola’s vice-captains but don’t expect to see the Liverpool goalkeeper wearing the armband.

The Brazilian shot-stopper’s future had been the subject of speculation ahead of the summer but he’s staying put to help Iraola at the start of the Spaniard’s reign. This will be his ninth season at Anfield, having become arguably the greatest number one in the club’s history.

Iraola is turning to Alisson and using the 33-year-old’s experience as part of his leadership team. He’s joined Dominik Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez in serving as deputy skippers to club captain Virgil van Dijk.

Why Alisson is Unlikely to Wear Captain’s Armband

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Alisson has won every major trophy on offer during his time on Merseyside and played a key role in the club’s success during this period. He’s a popular figure on the pitch and in the dressing room and has been just as influential as Van Dijk, who will captain the Reds for a fourth consecutive season.

Should Van Dijk be unavailable, Alisson could captain his team but he wouldn’t be allowed to wear the armband. That’s due to Premier League rules as explained by Liverpool reporter James Pearce on X:

“[Premier League] rules on only the captain being able to speak to referees means Alisson won’t wear the armband if Van Dijk isn’t on the field. That honour would go to Szoboszlai or Gomez.”

Therefore, in the event that Alisson is handed leadership responsibilities, he wouldn’t be the proper captain and that’s due to an initiative brought in by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). ‘Only the Captain’ guidelines were introduced into the Laws of the Game ahead of last season, and the Premier League has opted to use them to minimize dissent surrounding the referee.

Top-flight bosses have focused on addressing players’ treatment of referees, which means goalkeepers are now unlikely to be appointed captains. They very rarely leave their areas and while its proven beneficial for officials, it rules out many shot-stoppers dreams of captaining their teams.

How Alisson Can Still Captain Liverpool

If Van Dijk, Gomez, and Szoboszlai were all absent, Alisson could theoretically wear the armband. The guidelines state that referees must be made aware of a nominated outfield player they can approach throughout a game:

“Where the goalkeeper is the captain, the referee must be told, no later than at the coin toss before kick-off, which player is nominated to approach the referee instead of the goalkeeper.”

The thinking is that ‘stronger collaboration between the referee and the team captains can help instill fairness and mutual respect.’ The move to have captains only approach referees requires them to do so ‘respectfully and conduct themselves as such.’

They are given the responsibility to ensure their teammates ‘remain a reasonable distance from the referee and do not interfere in the interaction between the referee and the team captain(s).’

While the guidelines could prove problematic for goalkeepers, Crystal Palace appointed Dean Henderson as their captain following Marc Guehi’s exit in January. Clubs are clearly still open to using shot-stoppers in the role despite the limitations that come with it.

Arsenal kickstarted the defence of their Premier League title with an emphatic 3-0 win over Coventry City that has raised doubts over the future of one of Mikel Arteta’s champions.

Kai Havertz got the ball rolling with a tidy finish in the 15th minute to give the hosts a deserved lead before Bukayo Saka made it two-nil eight minutes later. Gunners captain Martin Odegaard continued his fine form with another impressive goal following his brilliance in the Community Shield.

With Bruno Guimaraes sidelined with a slight knock, there was only one new signing for the Emirates faithful to cast their eye on tonight. It’s fair to say that Christos Tzolis impressed out on the left flank with a performance that could mean curtains for one of his teammates.

Arsenal 3-0 Coventry – Tzolis Stars in Season Opener

REUTERS/Chris Radburn

Tzolis was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet but he certainly tried to bag his first goal in Arsenal colours. This wasn’t the 24-year-old’s Premier League debut as he made 14 top-flight appearances at Norwich City where he didn’t quite manage to make a name for himself.

Having taken the risk with a move to Club Brugge in Belgium, he caught the eye of Arteta’s scouts, who swooped for £34 million. Many saw his acquisition as a direct replacement for Leandro Trossard, certain he’d be handed a rotational role much like the Belgian during his Emirates spell.

On tonight’s evidence, the Gunners might not need to move for a marquee left-wing signing. Every time he got on the ball he looked like making something happen and he looked right at home in attack alongside Havertz and Saka.

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Tzolis earned huge applause when coming off for Eberechi Eze in the 76th minute and a tap on the back from Arteta. We may just have found an early contender for signing of the season if he continues his superb start.

Gabriel Martinelli, meanwhile, didn’t even make Arteta’s substitutes’ bench as doubts grow over his future. The Brazilian winger has been linked with an exit and even turned down the chance to join Turkish giants Galatasaray after the clubs agreed on a £38.4 million deal.

‘Electric’ Tzolis – Arsenal Fans Fear For Martinelli

Tzolis’ display has only pushed Martinelli closer to the exit door and with just weeks left in the transfer window he might need to concede that his Arsenal career is over. While he has enjoyed a relatively successful spell in North London, he hasn’t quite managed to realise his potential.

That’s certainly the verdict of most fans who are already in awe of their new Greek winger. One of the club’s supporters wrote on X: “See as Tzolis dey ball. Sorry, it’s over for Martinelli…”

Another supporter added: “After watching how good Tzolis, Martinelli isn’t playing for us again, is he??”

This was echoed by one fan: “Tzolis cooking means it’s over Martinelli nation. feel bad for what’s happening with him. we will miss Martinelli last minute bangers.”

Arsenal insider HandofArsenal was blown away by the Greece international: “Wait a minute. What the hell have we signed. Tzolis is electric. No for real though, he has been directly involved in both goals and been very productive. Feels like he has been told they doubt you, go show them. Early days but looks a smart buy in a crazy market. Thoughts?”

One fan added: “Tzolis might actually be the best LW in the league. Yep. We definitely complain too much.”

Another pointed out the club’s failed pursuit of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior: “Why did we even try to sign Vinicius Jr? For commercial reasons? Because Tzolis doesn’t belong anywhere outside the starting XI. “

One replied: “I’m on the edge of my seat watching Tzolis. He looks ELECTRIC.”

Tzolis may well have convinced Arteta and his bosses to put the brakes on looking for a new high-profile left-winger. That’s unless they can move Martinelli on because if the Brazilian does stay put his chances of displacing the champions’ new Greek sensation looks extremely slim.

Oliver Glasner’s reign as Nottingham Forest manager commences on Saturday afternoon when the East Midlands outfit host Leeds United at the City Ground in the Premier League.

Forest parted ways with former boss Vitor Pereira earlier this summer, despite the Portuguese delivering impressive results at the end of last season. This surprise dismissal was enacted to pave the way for Glasner, who led Crystal Palace to multiple pieces of silverware over the last two seasons, and Forest supporters will hope he can recreate this winning formula in Nottingham.

Leeds are preparing for their second season back in the top flight after securing their safety towards the end of last season. The name of the game will be consolidation for Daniel Farke’s side, as they look to establish themselves as a secure Premier League club once again.

GIVEMESPORT has taken a look at the team news for both sides and how they could line up on Saturday…

Nottingham Forest Team News

Glanser bemoaned a lack of squad depth for much of his time at Selhurst Park, but he shouldn’t have this issue at Forest, as he inherits a deep roster of players at the City Ground. Almost all of these players are fit and available heading into the new season.

That said, full-back Nicolo Savona faces a late fitness test to determine his availability for the encounter with the Whites. The Italian is suffering from a knee injury and hasn’t featured in any capacity since January.

Speaking to the media a few weeks ago (via the Nottingham Post), Glasner provided an update on Savona, as well as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Murillo, both of whom were absent but are now back in the fold.

Predicted Nottingham Forest XI

Glasner is expected to run out the 3-4-3 formation he used at Palace. New signing Ousmane Diomande has been added for exactly this reason, having played in this system under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP. He’ll be deployed alongside Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.

Ola Aina and Nico Williams are expected to replicate the roles of Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell at Palace, while new signing Xaver Schlager will likely make his debut alongside Ibrahima Sangare at the base of Forest’s midfield.

With Taiwo Awoniyi out the door and Chris Wood entering the twilight of his career, Igor Jesus is expected to lead the line for much of this season for Forest, and he’ll be supported by Morgan Gibbs-White and one of Dan Ndoye or Hudson-Odoi.

• Predicted Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Diomande, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina, Schlager, Sangare, Williams, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Igor Jesus.

Leeds Team News

via Reuters

Unlike Glasner, Farke has a handful of injury issues to contend with heading into his team’s Premier League opener. Wilfried Gnonto is out until early September with a hamstring injury, while left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson is fighting his way back from a suspected hamstring problem and is expected to miss out on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Lucas Perri is recovering from a quad strain, and Ilia Gruev is struggling with a knee injury. Both players are currently being assessed ahead of the trip to the City Ground.

Speaking to the media late last week (via the Nottingham Post), Daniel Farke provided an update on what is potentially the most damaging of these absentees: Gudmundsson.

Predicted Leeds XI

Farke is expected to persist with the back three that served him well for much of last season. James Trafford will make his Leeds debut behind this three-man defence, which is likely to include new signing Tarik Muharemovic.

James Justin is likely to fill in for Gudmundsson on the left, with Jayden Bogle deployed off the opposite flank. Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu will resume their partnership in the middle of the park, while Harry Wilson is in line for his debut alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson in the Yorkshire side’s front three.

• Predicted Leeds XI: Trafford, Rodon, Bijol, Muharemovic, Bogle, Ampadu, Stach, Justin, Wilson, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.