Arne Slot agrees with the increasingly widespread opinion that Dominik Szoboszlai could become a Liverpool captain, but he says there is still a key “next step” the midfielder must take.
At 25 years old, Szoboszlai has stood up, often on his own, as a shining light in Liverpool’s struggling team.
He has stood above the others, driving the team forward, whether from midfield or right-back, and carries himself with a presence that some have compared to Steven Gerrard – though this could be largely down to the No. 8 on his back!
After Szoboszlai scored against Brighton, Slot was asked if he thinks the Hungarian has the attributes to be a future leader or captain.
Slot replied: “Yes, but he’s still young. I think he has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example.
“But there’s still a step to make in terms of leadership, being vocal, being a voice in the dressing room if I compare him to Virgil [van Dijk], which is completely normal because Virgil is 34 and has seen probably James Milner or Jordan Henderson and these players.
“So it’s really good for Dominik that he sees Virgil as well. That would be a next step for him, to be as vocal and as loud as Virgil is.
“That comes with time, I think, but for all the other things, he has a lot to become a very influential player for Liverpool and you could call that a leader.”
With current captain Virgil van Dijk now into the last 18 months of his contract, and vice-captain Andy Robertson‘s expiring this summer, there could be an opportunity for a new leader to step up soon.
That could be Szoboszlai, if he doesn’t leave for Real Madrid, as his Hungarian national team coach, Marco Rossi, has suggested he would one day like to!
Dominik Szoboszlai is adding goals to his game
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Szoboszlai has 10 goals and seven assists in his 35 appearances so far this campaign, already scoring twice more than in the entirety of last season.
His free-kicks have become a real asset, too, at a time when Liverpool are struggling to break down defences.
“He hasn’t always played in the No. 10 position but he is producing more and more goals,” Slot added.
“I think Dominik is a great example of the model we are using here at this club.
“We sign young players from another league – in this situation that was Leipzig, where he was already known for being a player that was really physical.
“But I think it’s fair for me to say that the player that we brought in was already good but where he is now, I think [he is] much better than where he was two-and-a-half years ago.
Dominik Szoboszlai: Season-on-Season Comparison
Category 2024/25 Season 2025/26 Season*
Appearances 49 35
Goals 8 10
Assists 9 7
Minutes Played 3,429 3,128
Yellow Cards 6 5
* Data correct as of February 16, 2026
“That is what you get if you sign young players and you give them a bit of time and you let them play a lot. That’s why I also think that that trajectory he’s been through is the same trajectory we can expect from other young players we have that we’ve signed from other leagues.”
Szoboszlai is well on his way to becoming a figurehead at Liverpool. As a midfielder with supreme athleticism, he is now entering his peak years and will be integral to any success that could come in the next few years.
His contract expires in 2028 and Szoboszlai said recently there has been “no progression” in negotiations for a new deal.