Next Liverpool captain? Dominik Szoboszlai prediction made after contract signing as Reds legend informs Andoni Iraola of selection mistake that he must avoid at Anfield

He was snapped up from RB Leipzig as a goal-scoring midfielder that could drive through the engine room and into the final third - making decisive contributions at the business end of the field. The 25-year-old had also shown himself to be a useful operator when standing over a dead ball.

Those qualities have been showcased across a Premier League title-winning spell in England, with the 2025-26 campaign seeing Szoboszlai post a personal-best goal return of 13 efforts across all competitions - with a few spectacular free-kicks being thrown into the mix.

That output was achieved despite often being asked to play out of position and cover the injury-enforced absence of stricken team-mates. The Hungary international often reined in his attacking instincts when lining up at right-back.

Szoboszlai is unable to impact proceedings when filling that berth, with new Reds boss Iraola being urged against repeating some of the surprising tactical decisions that were made by his predecessor Arne Slot.

Liverpool need Szoboszlai to be an energetic presence in the heart of their team, with fresh terms being thrashed out with a man that already fills the captain’s armband with his country. A new contract at Anfield - through to 2031 - has brought unwelcome exit talk and links with La Liga giants Real Madrid to a close.

Szoboszlai is now being backed to become a talismanic presence for the Reds. Quizzed on whether he is next in line for skipper duties, ex-Liverpool midfielder Houghton - speaking courtesy of SBR, where you can find information about the Stake Promo Code - told GOAL: “I would have thought so.

“Dom's a good guy. The only thing I'd be worried if I was Dom was last season, I think he got thrown around a little bit - right-back, then he was playing on the right wing at some stages. And one thing I've learned, being at the World Cup this summer, is the best team in Spain - they were the best team because they won the World Cup - they don't make changes like that. They put like for like in.

“So, if you're [Pedro] Porro and you get injured, [Marcos] Llorente goes in at right-back. You don't start messing around. They don't play an extra centre-half and take off a midfielder. As in the final, we've seen [Martin] Zubimendi come on for Rodri, like for like. [Mikel] Merino comes on for Dani Olmo, like for like. [Mikel] Oyarzabal goes off, Ferran Torres comes on, like for like. [Alex] Baena goes off on the left wing. Who comes on? Nico Williams, like for like.

“So, one thing we should learn, or they should learn, clubs should learn, if you've got players, you play them in the role. If you're a six, you're an eight or a 10, you know your role and you know it inside out.

“That's one thing the Spanish showed, better than anyone, that they know their roles. They don't start messing around, bringing off a centre midfielder and bringing on a defender or whatever the case may be.

“They believe in and trust their system, and that's what Liverpool have got to get to. You've got to trust them. Szoboszlai is one of the best six, eights, whatever you see him as.”

Szoboszlai further highlighted his ability to deliver under pressure during Liverpool’s opening game of the 2026-27 campaign. With Newcastle clinging on to a 2-1 lead deep into stoppage-time at St James’ Park, the Reds were awarded a dramatic late penalty.

Rather than hand the ball to ex-Magpies striker Alexander Isak, Liverpool placed considerable trust in their No.8. He did not disappoint when firing into the top corner from 12 yards, with a battling point being picked up ahead of a first home date of the season against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.