Arne Slot already made feelings clear on Virgil van Dijk's suggestion for next Liverpool captain

Virgil van Dijk is not likely to give up the Liverpool armband any time soon, but he identified his potential successor after the Reds' win over Brighton last weekend

Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot(Image: 2026 Molly Darlington)

Virgil van Dijk suggested after Liverpool's win over Brighton last weekend that midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai could be a suitable successor to him as the Reds' captain.

Szoboszlai is enjoying arguably his best season since joining the club in 2023, establishing himself as one of the first names on Arne Slot's team sheet. Szoboszlai moved into double figures for goals over the weekend as Liverpool cruised past Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and he received praise from Van Dijk after the game.

"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," Van Dijk said of Szoboszlai.

"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's blossoming reputation as one of the new leaders in the Liverpool squad also prompted Reds head coach Slot to be asked about the Hungarian's capacity to become a captain of the club one day.

Slot admitted that he sees a lot of the traits he desires from a captain in Szoboszlai, but suggested that he thinks there is more to come from the 26-year-old before he takes on the captaincy role on a permanent basis.

Dominik Szoboszlai has become more of a leader at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

"Yes, but he’s still young," Slot said when asked about Szoboszlai's captaincy credentials. "I think he has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example.

"But there’s still a step to make in terms of leadership, being vocal, being a voice in the dressing room, if I compare him to Virgil, which is completely normal because Virgil is 34 and has seen probably James Milner or Jordan Henderson and these players.

“So it’s really good for Dominik that he sees Virgil as well. That would be a next step for him, to be as vocal and as loud as Virgil is.

“That comes with time, I think, but for all the other things, he has a lot to become a very influential player for Liverpool and you could call that a leader.”