Jurgen Klopp has rubbished claims he has undermined Liverpool’s captaincy.
Jordan Henderson is expected to return as Reds skipper for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round with West Brom after just over a month on the sidelines.
The midfielder picked up an injury during December’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal, which saw several of his teammates assuming the armband in his absence.
Emre Can became the latest stand-in leader on Monday as Liverpool slumped to defeat at Swansea City despite ongoing uncertainty over his future.
With the Germany international yet to commit to a new long-term deal at Anfield, Klopp was accused of diminishing the role of captain.
However the Liverpool manager has rubbished any suggestions he does not consider the role an important one.
He said: “Jordan Henderson is our captain and is a perfect captain for us but if he’s not on the pitch then the vice-captain is James Milner.
“If he’s not on the pitch then somebody needs to wear it. They are still the captain and that’s very important.
“There are so many things around the dressing room of a big club like Liverpool, a lot of questions to answer and media to talk to, that’s the job to do.
“On the pitch you need to share responsibility. It’s not that I think about it too much, it was not my plans to give it to seven different people.
“I’m not disrespectful about this, I was a captain myself for year and it can be important, it depends on how you fill the role.
“In our case it is important but we cannot change. I don’t think you make it too big but in this club it is a little bit different because of Stevie (Gerrard).
“He was captain for what feels like 25 years and its normal that you talk about who can fill that role.
“But I think we did well in the last two years, I’m really happy about Jordan’s captaincy.”