Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to the media during a press conference at AXA Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)placeholder image
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to the media during a press conference at AXA Training Centre on January 27, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool have a core of young, hungry players and Arne Slot has one who he should build the team around.
Player of the season, players’ player of the season, goal of the season, there is every chance that Liverpool’s awards ceremony could be dominated by one man at the end of the campaign.
Too many of Arne Slot’s squad have not hit the heights expected of them after arriving last summer or not performed to their usually high standards or that of the 2024/25 title win. One player has though, and he can hold his high, safe in the knowledge that the Reds haven’t faltered because of his want of trying.
Liverpool should build their team around Dominik Szoboszlai
Dominik Szoboszlai has always been a good player, however, this year has seen him emerge, arguably, as Liverpool’s best. The Hungary international is integral to any future chances of success and it is no surprise to see Real Madrid being linked with the 25-year old. Without him Liverpool would be considerably worse off given his ability to score key goals when it matters.
What Szoboszlai has also done, is emerge as the poster boy for the next generation. If Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Alisson and Mohamed Salah are the last of the old guard, he is who Slot should be building the next cycle around with players like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike becoming ever more important as the weeks go by.
Should Szoboszlai be the next Liverpool captain?
Someone who agrees is Van Dijk himself who, when asked if Szoboszlai could be the man to take the armband next replied, via The Independent: "Obviously he has been very good. Also a player who I think can still make the next step in terms of being a leader for this team.
"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 already captains his country, so he appreciates how important it is to lead from the front and by example. Even if he isn’t who the manager picks to replace an Anfield legend, there is little doubt that his influence would in any way diminish.
Continue Reading