![\"Dominik](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_GettyImages-2251576328.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDominik Szoboszlai is believed to be one of the candidates to succeed Andy Robertson as Liverpool’s vice-captain<\/p>\n
Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Dominik Szoboszlai says he has to earn the right to take the step up in seniority at Liverpool as Andoni Iraola begins to assess his vice-captain candidates.<\/p>\n
And the Reds’ No.8 claims he has no problem falling in line to current captain Virgil van Dijk, despite his status as the national team leader with Hungary.<\/p>\n
One of Iraola’s first tasks at Anfield<\/a> will be to appoint a deputy to club captain Van Dijk following Andy Robertson’s departure and Hungary skipper Szoboszlai has been held up as a potential option as he enters his fourth season on Merseyside.<\/p>\n Szoboszlai, though, says it is easy to defer to the experience of the decorated Van Dijk and in an interview with France Football<\/a>, the 25-year-old admits the vice-captaincy needs to be worked for as a new era approaches at Anfield under Iraola.<\/p>\n Get the best Liverpool FC news and analysis straight to your Inbox courtesy of the Echo!<\/p>\n It’s as simple as 1-2-3.<\/p>\n Open the Echo’s newsletter preference centre RIGHT HERE.<\/a>Open up Sport.Choose Liverpool FC and hit Subscribe.<\/p>\n “Actually it\u2019s simpler than it looks,” Szoboszlai<\/a> said about respecting the pecking order at Liverpool.<\/p>\n “It happens quite naturally. Everyone realises that Virgil is the leader period. It\u2019s a matter of intelligence and maturity, and in that regard, Liverpool has an exceptional squad.<\/p>\n “If [a step up to the leadership group] is going to happen, it can only come with time. There\u2019s a process involved; it\u2019s not something you can just demand.<\/p>\n “You have to earn it, and that starts on the pitch – with excellence, consistency, and impeccable conduct. Only then do you start guiding other players, especially the new ones.<\/p>\n “That\u2019s when the question of leadership legitimacy arises – never before.<\/p>\n “And even with all those factors in place, there\u2019s no guarantee you\u2019ll become captain, because beyond Virgil, there are easily eight or nine other leaders.”<\/p>\n Szoboszlai added: “No, it\u2019s true [I had no role models growing up]. But I did have an idol: Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n “Not because of his playing style, but because of his mentality – his unique work ethic. I read his book when I was young and watched videos of his training routines, that\u2019s what inspired me about him – far more than the way he played.<\/p>\n “But I didn’t have any role models in terms of playing style. Honestly. I wanted to be myself right from the start – nobody else.<\/p>\n “Because I realised very early on that there would only ever be one Zin\u00e9dine Zidane, one Steven Gerrard<\/a>, one Paul Pogba, one Lionel Messi, one Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n “You can’t be the next one. You know the saying: ‘Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.'”<\/p>\n Szoboszlai will report for pre-season training on Tuesday as Liverpool<\/a> begin their summer schedule under Iraola, who signed a two-year deal last month ro succeed Arne Slot.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_Screenshot-2026-06-03-at-133610.png\")
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