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(Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
It's fair to say there has been plenty of intrigue and some confusion over the identity of Arne Slot's new vice-captain during Liverpool's pre-season tour of Hong Kong.
A parody account on X, which claims to report the latest news on all things at Anfield, has actually caught a number of social media users off-guard this tour, with Virgil van Dijk even jokingly raising the topic of one particular nugget of information on Florian Wirtz to members of the UK media before he was informed that the said detail was in fact a hoax.
It was all Van Dijk could do but let out a huge guffaw when informed that the slightly disparaging remarks about Wirtz - which were said to have come from another team-mate - were in fact the stuff of internet make-believe after Thursday's open training.
The Reds skipper certainly saw the funny side on that exchange at least.
READ MORE:Liverpool frustrations clear as Arne Slot makes decision after captaincy rumoursREAD MORE:Florian Wirtz hints at Liverpool partnership as new option emerges for Arne Slot
Andy Robertson has also been fooled to an extent, having been on the receiving end of a smattering of well-wishes from back home after the account in question incorrectly named him as the successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold as captain Van Dijk's deputy.
"I have seen the rumours and I've had texts and people congratulating me, but I've not heard anything!" Robertson told the Anfield Wrap after Saturday's 4-2 defeat to AC Milan.
"So yeah, look, we're obviously part of the leadership group me, Mo Salah, Alisson, Virgil and the manager has not spoken to any of us yet.
Obviously we've lost Trent as vice-captain and that role is available but we do what we do, the four of us are a good tight-knit group.
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"I spoke recently about helping the new lads come through and that is what you've got to do, you've got to help them come in, help the young lads like Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni come through.
"We've been at this club a long time now, and we know what it takes and we know how hard it is to keep the levels at the level that the fans expect, but you know, if we can give them a little bit of knowledge then hopefully they can take that on board."
Quizzed about the issue in his post-match press conference, Slot confirmed he has made his decision but was coy on just which of his squad has got the nod to step into the void created by Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid.
"It's true that Trent left the club but there is still enough leadership in the club," Slot said.
"I have already decided but I'm not telling everyone yet who the new vice-captain will be."
The trip to Hong Kong has been worthwhile for the Reds and their first visit to the region since 2017 will generally be considered a success, even if the defeat to AC Milan was not an ideal result.
Rio Ngumoha is understood to have impressed both team-mates and staff at Liverpool during his participation so far and the teenage winger now has the chance to further catch the eye out in Japan, where Liverpool will fly to on Sunday.
Another who caught the eye against Milan during his first-half cameo was £116m signing Wirtz, who left supporters in awe at times with one or two flashes of quality and the Germany international has looked sharp in the fledgling days of pre-season.
One drop of the shoulder opened up the game in the first period before Harvey Elliott was a touch sluggish to the through ball that followed, while Mohamed Salah should have shot rather than looking for a return pass inside the area also.
It was an encouraging cameo from Wirtz, who must shoulder much of the creative shortfall left by Alexander-Arnold's exit now and last season's Bundesliga player of the season looks like he is up to the task on this early evidence.
"I mean obviously he is a new lad and there's a label on him that we have paid this price for him, but it is about bringing him, making him feel calm and just letting him go play his game," says Curtis Jones.
"And not let him think: 'OK, I have been bought for this price.'
"Of course he will know that he needs to help the team with goals and assists but first of all just come into the team and be yourself and we have seen that all week with him.
They have just come in and been themselves and I bang on about this all the time: it's an unbelievable team but it is also a family as well.
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"You know, if you're a young lad who is being signed, with us it is a bunch of lads who are just about having a laugh as well, so it just makes you feel at home.