Van Dijk backs Szoboszlai to inherit Liverpool armband

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has backed Dominik Szoboszlai to lead the club in the future.

The 25-year-old midfielder signed for the Reds ahead of the 2023-24 season, helping them win the Premier League title last season as well as reaching the EFL Cup final, where they lost to Newcastle United.

Though Arne Slot’s side have not performed to their usual standards this season, with Liverpool sixth in the league and 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, Szoboszlai has enjoyed a strong individual campaign.

Across all competitions, the Hungary international has scored 10 goals and registered seven assists in 35 games.

Only Hugo Ekitike (19 – 15 goals and four assists) has directly contributed to more goals for Liverpool this season, while Szoboszlai has also filled in at right-back for the Reds.

With vice-captain Andrew Robertson potentially leaving upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, Van Dijk was asked about the prospect of Szoboszlai becoming club captain in the future.

The defender responded: “That’s all on the manager I think. I don’t know. Yeah.

“Obviously, he has been very good. He’s also a player who I think can still make the next step in terms of being a leader for this team.

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“It starts by leading by example and that’s something he has done so far this season.

“But also everything around it; there is still progress to be made and that’s a good thing in my opinion, so hopefully he will be very important for the years to come at Liverpool.”

Szoboszlai is reportedly in talks with the club over extending his current deal, which expires in the summer of 2028.

Real Madrid are rumoured to be interested in acquiring the midfielder, though his agent, Matyas Esterhazy, said earlier this week that they were “not looking outside or elsewhere.”