Jordan Henderson will retain his role as Liverpool captain, manager Jürgen Klopp has confirmed.
The midfielder was made the Reds' skipper under Brendan Rodgers in the summer, having been the vice-captain to Steven Gerrard last season, but has not yet featured under his new boss with injuries keeping him sidelined.
He hasn't played since their second fixture of the season, a 1-0 home win over Bournemouth in August, but is slowly nearing a return from a foot injury - a separate issue to the heel problem that had initially kept him out for a number of weeks.
In his absence, James Milner has deputised whilst Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho have also taken the armband when the Reds' second in command hasn't been on the pitch.
But despite making changes to the starting team, establishing Sakho, Lucas Leiva, Roberto Firmino and several others as regulars, as well as shaking up the backroom staff - Klopp insists he has no plans to change the club's captain.
Speaking about the 25-year-old, the Reds boss insisted there was not "a second of doubt" about the decision - saying he found it "logical" because they "never had to think about" whether Henderson is the "right captain" or not.
Klopp said that he has met and spoke to the England international in recent weeks and described him as an "absolute leader" as he explained that he is in a "good way" as his situation continues to improve - insisting Liverpool hope "he's back in a few weeks."
A two-week international break will allow the captain extra time to return, but Klopp admitted he does not know "what will happen in the next two weeks" - a period of time he called "very important" as they await Henderson's return, but he declared that the existing set-up will not be altered and he will remain the club's skipper.
No Sturridge return date yet pencilled in, says Klopp
But though Henderson, who has spent nearly two months out of action, is closing in on a return - Daniel Sturridge is still struggling with a knee injury that he sustained prior to Klopp's inaugaration at Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The striker, who was ravaged by injuries throughout the course of last season, has only made three appearances in all competitions this term, scoring two goals, but Klopp is putting no pressure on him to return in a hurry.
He said that he thinks Sturridge will return soon, but insisted "soon is relative" because the club do not know precisely when the 26-year-old will be back in the side.
Klopp revealed that Sturridge's recovery "isn't as fast" as the club first anticipated but said they "cannot put pressure" on the Englishman to rush his comeback.
The German explained that Sturridge is "starting to train outside" after four weeks out and "needs time" to get back into shape and find match fitness.
He added that once he starts training, they can talk about a return to playing, saying it's "nearly like a summer break" and he will be "really training hard" once he is back - but the club "have to see" before they can start to think about a specific date.