£60m star could be set to replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Succession Plan Already Includes a Captain in Waiting

Liverpool’s long-term planning increasingly reflects an acceptance that even elite figures do not last forever. Virgil van Dijk remains one of Europe’s outstanding centre-backs and continues to set standards as captain under Arne Slot, but his contract runs until 2027 and he will be approaching his mid-thirties by that point.

Internally, there is no urgency around his status. Van Dijk remains central to Liverpool’s defensive structure and authority within the squad. Yet planning has quietly moved beyond simply identifying a defensive replacement. Recruitment work around centre-backs such as Marc Guéhi, Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck underlines that preparation is ongoing on the pitch. More revealing, however, is how Liverpool are thinking about leadership succession.

Rather than searching externally for a future captain, there is a growing belief inside the club that the solution already exists.

Szoboszlai’s Standing Inside Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai arrived from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £60m with expectations centred on his technical quality and physical output. Since then, his influence has expanded well beyond his role in midfield. Contracted until 2028, the Hungarian has become one of Liverpool’s most reliable and authoritative performers.

Availability has been a defining factor. In a squad that has often struggled to maintain continuity through injuries, Szoboszlai’s durability has elevated his importance. His ability to operate across multiple midfield roles, maintain intensity and enforce pressing structure has earned trust from successive coaching staffs.

While not a demonstrative personality, Szoboszlai’s composure during difficult phases of matches has been repeatedly noted by those around the squad. He is comfortable taking responsibility without theatrics, setting standards through performance rather than volume. That presence has seen him included in Liverpool’s senior leadership group and entrusted with organisational duties on the pitch.

Proven Captaincy at International Level

Szoboszlai’s leadership credentials are not speculative. He has been Hungary’s full national team captain since November 2022, taking on the role at just 22 years old. The appointment was substantive rather than symbolic.

Under his captaincy, Hungary qualified for EURO 2024 unbeaten, finishing top of their group ahead of Serbia. Szoboszlai led the side through competitive fixtures, acting as both creative hub and scorer while carrying the weight of national expectation. His role extended beyond matchdays, encompassing media responsibilities and tactical accountability.

Prior to his move to Liverpool, Szoboszlai was also part of RB Leipzig’s leadership group. He wore the armband on multiple occasions when senior players were unavailable and was regularly described by staff as a standards-setter in training. That experience has translated seamlessly into his role at Anfield.

Liverpool’s Leadership Transition Timeline

Van Dijk remains Liverpool’s captain and continues to justify that status. There is no suggestion of a short-term change. However, internal projections increasingly view the end of his current contract as a natural transition point.

Szoboszlai has already captained Liverpool in domestic cup and rotation fixtures, reinforcing the trust placed in him. He regularly directs pressing triggers, manages tempo and communicates structure from midfield, responsibilities typically reserved for senior figures.

Liverpool do not view leadership succession as a like-for-like process. Van Dijk’s authority is unique, but the next phase is expected to be more distributed. Within that framework, Szoboszlai is seen as a central pillar, anchoring leadership from midfield rather than defence.

Rather than replacing Van Dijk outright, Liverpool believe they are evolving. In Szoboszlai, they see not just a high-level midfielder, but a captain capable of leading the club into its next era.