NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai applauds the supporters after a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai applauds the supporters after a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola has revealed that Liverpool will have three vice-captains this season, but with Alisson among those he explained why he won’t wear the armband.
With Andy Robertson departing this summer along with Mo Salah, Iraola was faced with the task of naming a new vice-captain.
The head coach has opted for three deputies to Virgil van Dijk, with Alisson, Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai all serving in the role.
But speaking on the eve of the new campaign, Iraola told reporters at the AXA Training Centre that his goalkeeper will not wear the captain’s armband.
“The captains will be Virgil, Alisson, Joe Gomez and Dom Szoboszlai,” he revealed.
“But I explained to Alisson especially that it’s not going to be possible that he wears the armband.
“With the new rules there is a big limitation if a ‘keeper wears the armband.
“If something happens in the opposition’s box the referee has to explain to the captains what is happening, all the decisions.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker embraces captain Virgil van Dijk before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker embraces captain Virgil van Dijk before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I had one season with Neto [as captain] at Bournemouth and then you have to start to, every game, say a different player who can act as a captain and this is not viable.
“But I wanted [Alisson] to feel like we value him, I’ve had enough time – and we will have more time – to know each other, but I also had to explain the decision over the armband.
“He is a ‘keeper and unfortunately they are changing the rules in a way that there is a lot of disadvantages to having a ‘keeper as a captain.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Van Dijk played every minute of every game in the Premier League and Champions League last season, while only missing nine minutes in the FA Cup and sitting out Liverpool’s two Carabao Cup fixtures.
The hope is that, despite turning 35 last month, the Dutchman will be similarly involved this time around – but when he is left out, the most likely candidate to wear the armband is Szoboszlai.
For Alisson and Gomez, the role will be more in the dressing room and at the training ground, maintaining the standards they have upheld for eight and 11 years at Liverpool already respectively.
Szoboszlai is positioned as heir apparent to the captaincy, having signed a new five-year contract in July.
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Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaks with Ryan Gravenberch during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)