<figure id="attachment_3285508" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3285508" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-3285508 size-full" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1cdb44a5-13554307_cropped_1.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3285508" class="wp-caption-text">Virgil van Dijk said he hopes Dominik Szoboszlai will be an important player for Liverpool in the coming years. (EPA Images pic)</figcaption></figure>
LONDON: Virgil van Dijk has indicated Dominik Szoboszlai could succeed him as Liverpool captain after labelling the midfielder as someone capable of &#8220;being a leader for this team&#8221;.
Szoboszlai has been one of Liverpool&#8217;s star performers in an awkward season for the reigning Premier League champions, with the Hungary international demonstrating his versatility by filling in at right-back.
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah lauded Szoboszlai as &#8220;one of the best players in the world right now&#8221; after the 25-year-old reached 10 goals for the season in an FA Cup fourth-round win against Brighton.
Szoboszlai is now closing on his best return of 12 goals in a season for Red Bull Salzburg in the 2019/2020 campaign, with his all-round play at Liverpool winning plenty of plaudits as well.
Andy Robertson, 32 next month, is currently Liverpool&#8217;s vice-captain but is out of contract at the end of the season and faces an uncertain future.
&#8220;That&#8217;s all on the manager (Arne Slot) I think. I don&#8217;t know. Yeah,&#8221; was Van Dijk&#8217;s reply when asked whether Szoboszlai could take over as Liverpool captain.
&#8220;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.
&#8220;It starts by leading by example and that&#8217;s something he has done so far this season,&#8221; said Van Dijk.
&#8220;But also everything around it; there is still progress to be made and that&#8217;s a good thing in my opinion so hopefully he will be very important for the years to come at Liverpool,&#8221; he added.
Liverpool, a huge 17 points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal in sixth place, are still awaiting a definitive diagnosis on a foot injury sustained by Wataru Endo, another midfielder who was asked to play at right-back due to ongoing issues.
The Japan international has made just 12 appearances, most as a substitute, so far this season but Van Dijk insisted his appearance record belied his influence.
&#8220;It&#8217;s not great, he is such an important and respected member of the team, he&#8217;s one of the leaders and he always leads by example as well,&#8221; said the Dutchman.
&#8220;On the pitch he gives everything. It&#8217;s a big blow but we have to deal with it and we will.
&#8220;Hopefully it&#8217;s not going to take too long but it looks like it will be a while,&#8221; he said.

MatchPoint Times

Liverpool captain Van Dijk hails Szoboszlai as future ‘leader’

Virgil van Dijk has indicated Dominik Szoboszlai could succeed him as Liverpool captain.

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