{"id":402696,"date":"2026-01-12T09:28:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T09:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/402696\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T09:28:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T09:28:12","slug":"arne-slot-already-has-a-virgil-van-dijk-replacement-at-liverpool-staring-him-right-in-the-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/402696\/","title":{"rendered":"Arne Slot already has a Virgil van Dijk replacement at Liverpool staring him right in the face"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Virgil van Dijk won\u2019t be a Liverpool player forever, and when he leaves, it\u2019s obvious who Arne Slot should give the armband to. <\/p>\n

With 18 months or so left on his current deal, Van Dijk is making a solid case to remain at Anfield<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The 34-year-old is still an imperious force at the heart of the Liverpool<\/a> defence, and there\u2019s no reason why he can\u2019t keep playing for years to come. Look at Thiago Silva at Chelsea. <\/p>\n

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Van Dijk fancies becoming sporting director<\/a>, but that might not be for a while yet. When it does happen, though, his replacement will be ready. <\/p>\n

Virgil van Dijk leaves Liverpool in 2027. Who replaces him as Reds\u2019 captain? <\/p>\n

\"DominikPhoto Credit: Getty Images\/Shaun Botterill\/Liverpool FC <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n

Dominik Szoboszlai wants to be Liverpool captain <\/p>\n

It should come as no surprise who we think is next in line for the Liverpool captaincy. <\/p>\n

Dominik Szoboszlai<\/a> has worn the armband for Hungary since the age of 22 \u2014 he\u2019s a natural leader. And he has thought about taking Van Dijk\u2019s place. <\/p>\n

He told StanSport<\/a>: \u201c\u201cI can imagine, yes, I would love to, it would be an honour, but that\u2019s the aim, that\u2019s what we are aiming for, to be the captain of Liverpool, I think everyone would love to. If there comes a time I would love to, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Where does Dominik Szoboszlai rank among the best midfielders in the world right now? <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n

Three repetitions of his answer. Sounds like his mind is made up. <\/p>\n

Still just 25, he could realistically be at Liverpool for the next decade. And quality-wise, Szoboszlai was voted best player of 2025<\/a> by readers on RTK. <\/p>\n

Szoboszlai has Steven Gerrard\u2019s blessing <\/p>\n

Back in July, Gerrard said Szoboszlai reminds him most of himself<\/a> out of the current Liverpool squad. <\/p>\n

You can definitely see the resemblance, too. Number 8 shirt, unreal engine, world-class ball-striking, passion, desire. It\u2019s all there. <\/p>\n

\"DominikPhoto by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unlikely Gerrard will have a say in who succeeds Van Dijk as Liverpool captain \u2014 though you never know \u2014 but it\u2019s a huge stamp of approval from one of the all-time greats. <\/p>\n

Slot<\/a> might not have to make that call for a while, but when he does, Szoboszlai is the man to go for. <\/p>\n

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