Liverpool have two standout options to take the vice-captaincy and audition as Van Dijk's successor - opinion
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
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. Are Liverpool making the right call by sticking with Arne Slot? 🤔 What does he need to do to get the fans and players back on side?Credit: Stuart Franklin/UEFA/Getty Images Choice one: Dominik SzoboszlaiHaving 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.
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.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Chris Sutton still thinks one Liverpool player has been ‘terrible’ recentlyChoice two: Ibrahima KonateChoosing 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.
Who should Slot start up front against Crystal Palace? 🤔 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. 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.