Virgil van Dijk has tipped Dominik Szoboszlai to “take over” the skipper’s leadership role in the coming years after signing a new contract.
Having put pen to paper on a new five-year deal this summer, Szoboszlai was recently named as one of Liverpool’s three vice-captains, alongside Joe Gomez and Alisson.
After dispatching a last-minute penalty under immense pressure to equalise against Newcastle, Van Dijk spoke to reporters, including the Liverpool Echo‘s Paul Gorst, about the 25-year-old’s next steps.
“Every leadership group is important,” said the skipper.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Obviously there is experience and there is someone in terms of Dom who has been the captain of his country, and that will only help him to be part of this group.
“He has to take responsibility to take that on his shoulders and it is going to benefit us also in the long run with Szoboszlai signing a new deal.
“He will be here to take over.”
While there are certainly supporters who don’t think Szoboszlai is ready to be club captain, he is showing the ability to stay calm under pressure on the pitch.
The Hungarian brilliantly struck his spot-kick into the top corner, beating 6’5″ goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek who dived the right way.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai shoots to score his side's second and equalising goal with a penalty kick during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai shoots to score his side's second and equalising goal with a penalty kick during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Van Dijk commented: “He took plenty already and he scored plenty. Not a bad hit. He has the quality. He has shown it in the penalties he took in previous years.
“It was quite a high-tension penalty and it shows how good of a player he is.”
Dominik Szoboszlai: “That was my whole plan”
Szoboszlai has made no secret of his intentions to rise to the role of leading figure, and he again spoke of his ambition after the 2-2 draw at St James’ Park.
He told NBC Sports: “It’s a new manager. Obviously everyone is motivated.
“I think it is natural that you want to show him that you want to be part of this squad, part of the first XI and of course part of one of the leaders.
“When I first joined Liverpool, that was my whole plan – to be in the first XI, do my best and if you work hard, if you do everything every day, then it is going to be there and you are going to get back everything what you have done.
“So I am still doing it every day. Obviously we have Virgil; although he is 35, he is one of the best centre-backs in the world still.
“So I am happy to share the dressing room with him, so let’s see what the future brings.”
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LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo arrives before the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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