Liverpool are set to be looking for a new vice-captain for the third time in three years this summer.
James Milner vacated the role after eight years of excellent service in 2023, and has since been followed by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
Robertson was a slightly surprising choice by Arne Slot in 2025, with many seeing Mohamed Salah as a more natural vice-captain. But with both players set to depart, and Alisson Becker potentially exiting as well, Slot will need to make another selection this year.
Given the likelihood of Virgil van Dijk going at the end of his contract in 2027, whoever Slot chooses will possibly be with one eye on succeeding the Dutchman when the time comes. And as he ponders picking from a Liverpool squad lacking in experience, the Reds’ head coach should be considering both Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai.
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Arne Slot gives a thumbs up during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League win over Marseille in the Stade Velodrome
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Choice one: Dominik Szoboszlai
Having seen him step up for much of the season, there have been loud suggestions from supporters that Szoboszlai could be Liverpool’s next captain.
The Hungarian leads his national team and, at 25, should hopefully be at the club for many years to come.
He has clear leadership qualities and is not afraid to speak up and front up after poor performances. The vice-captaincy would feel like a natural progression before Szoboszlai potentially takes on the armband full-time in 2027.
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There remain some lingering issues over his temperament, as seen in his decision to question fans at the end of the recent FA Cup defeat against Manchester City. But taking the vice-captaincy could give Szoboszlai some added responsibilities before a decision is made on whether to step that up in 12 months’ time.
Ibrahima Konate celebrates with Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai after scoring for Liverpool in their Premier League match against Newcastle United at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Choice two: Ibrahima Konate
Choosing Konate as vice-captain is obviously dependent on the Frenchman signing his new contract.
However, the current direction of travel is that Konate will extend his stay with Liverpool, and as he does so, he looks ready to take on a leadership role.
Having spent five years at the club, the centre-back is now one of the squad’s most experienced members, and is also one of the most vocal and respected.
Konate has hinted that he wants to be captain before and has briefly worn the armband for France. If he does stay, and everything currently points towards that happening, he would be a good option to lead Liverpool into the future, and seamlessly take over from his centre-back partner a year later.
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Alexander Isak pictured with his arms outstretched during Liverpool's Premier League match against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Cody Gakpo reacts during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Credit: James Gill/Danehouse/Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Is anyone else in the running?
If Alisson does not end up leaving this summer, then it is only fair to point out that he would be the obvious choice to succeed Robertson.
That would likely leave Liverpool once again searching for another vice-captain next year, though, so Slot should bear that in mind. Still, Alisson is, of course, a strong candidate.
Alexis Mac Allister had the look of a potential captain last year, but there have since been recurring claims that he could be sold at the end of the season. If he remains, though, the Argentine should be in the running.
Looking around the rest of the squad, and it is clear that Liverpool really are short on leadership. Cody Gakpo was captain at PSV Eindhoven before joining the Reds, and the Dutchman is the only other semi-realistic choice unless Liverpool make a ready-made Milner-esque signing.
The choice of who takes over the vice-captaincy may be a relatively small one in the scale of the rebuild needed this summer, but given the glaring lack of experience within the team, it will be another key decision for Slot.
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