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Parts of pre-season is officially underway at Liverpool, with a fresh chapter beginning under Andoni Iraola’s watch.
A handful of players have already reported back to the AXA Training Centre this week to begin their preparations, though the full squad is expected to return for the brunt of the work starting next week.
The departure of Andy Robertson, who left Anfield this summer after eight years of service, has left a significant gap in the club’s leadership structure. The Scot served as vice-captain under Virgil van Dijk and was a cornerstone of the dressing room culture.
With Robertson gone, new head coach Andoni Iraola now faces the task of finding his skipper’s right-hand man — someone who can step into that role immediately and, crucially, be ready to assume the full captaincy when Van Dijk eventually calls time on his career.
So who are the leading candidates according to the Athletic?
Alisson Becker is the sentimental frontrunner. Heading into his ninth season at the club, the Brazilian shot-stopper carries himself with a quiet authority that commands instant respect. However, his contract expires at the end of the 2026/27 season and is widely expected to move on upon it’s expiry.
Dominik Szoboszlai is arguably the most exciting option. After a stunning campaign – 13 goals and 12 assists – Hungarian showed he has the quality to match his leadership ambitions.
He’s worn the armband for his national team and hasn’t hidden his desire to one day captain Liverpool. At 25, the timing could be perfect. However, his contract situation is likewise unclear.
Joe Gomez brings something different — longevity and quiet dignity. Eleven years at the club, plenty of highs and lows, and a reputation for fronting up when things go wrong.
His willingness to speak to the media after difficult results says a lot about his character. The concern, however, is minutes, Gomez made just 16 starts last season, and his contract expires next summer.
Alexis Mac Allister is easy to overlook after a difficult second season, but the World Cup and Copa America winner remains an elite operator. At 27, there’s every reason to believe last season was a blip rather than a decline.
Then there’s the wildcard discussion around Curtis Jones, who has captained Liverpool three times, though his future remains uncertain