Virgil van Dijk won’t be a Liverpool player forever, and when he leaves, it’s obvious who Arne Slot should give the armband to.
With 18 months or so left on his current deal, Van Dijk is making a solid case to remain at Anfield.
The 34-year-old is still an imperious force at the heart of the Liverpool defence, and there’s no reason why he can’t keep playing for years to come. Look at Thiago Silva at Chelsea.
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Van Dijk fancies becoming sporting director, but that might not be for a while yet. When it does happen, though, his replacement will be ready.
Virgil van Dijk leaves Liverpool in 2027. Who replaces him as Reds’ captain?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Shaun Botterill/Liverpool FC
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Dominik Szoboszlai wants to be Liverpool captain
It should come as no surprise who we think is next in line for the Liverpool captaincy.
Dominik Szoboszlai has worn the armband for Hungary since the age of 22 — he’s a natural leader. And he has thought about taking Van Dijk’s place.
He told StanSport: ““I can imagine, yes, I would love to, it would be an honour, but that’s the aim, that’s what we are aiming for, to be the captain of Liverpool, I think everyone would love to. If there comes a time I would love to, yeah.”
Where does Dominik Szoboszlai rank among the best midfielders in the world right now?
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Three repetitions of his answer. Sounds like his mind is made up.
Still just 25, he could realistically be at Liverpool for the next decade. And quality-wise, Szoboszlai was voted best player of 2025 by readers on RTK.
Szoboszlai has Steven Gerrard’s blessing
Back in July, Gerrard said Szoboszlai reminds him most of himself out of the current Liverpool squad.
You can definitely see the resemblance, too. Number 8 shirt, unreal engine, world-class ball-striking, passion, desire. It’s all there.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
It’s unlikely Gerrard will have a say in who succeeds Van Dijk as Liverpool captain — though you never know — but it’s a huge stamp of approval from one of the all-time greats.
Slot might not have to make that call for a while, but when he does, Szoboszlai is the man to go for.
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