Dominik Szoboszlai has expressed his delight after being named one of Virgil van Dijk's vice-captains at Liverpool for the coming season under Andoni Iraola. The Hungary captain is now one of three deputies to Van Dijk, alongside veteran goalkeeper Alisson Becker and long-serving defender Joe Gomez.
The Reds needed a new leadership group after Iraola joined Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer earlier this summer. Iraola confirmed on Friday that he has a new-look leadership structure at Anfield, with Van Dijk aided by the trio.
Reward for hard work since £60m move
Speaking after his 99th-minute penalty rescued a point for Liverpool in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, Szoboszlai believes the promotion is a reward for the effort he has put in since his £60m arrival from RB Leipzig in 2023. He was also handed a new contract until 2031 last month.
"It's a new manager and obviously everyone is motivated," Szoboszlai told NBC Sports. "I think it is natural that you show him that you want to be part of this squad, part of the first XI and as part as one of the leaders."
Szoboszlai on sharing the dressing room with Van Dijk
"When I first joined Liverpool, that was my whole plan - to be in the first XI and if you work hard and do everything, every day then it is going to be there and you are going to get back everything that you have done," he added.
"So I am still doing it every day, obviously we have Virgil, although he is 35 he is one of the best centre-backs in the world, still. So I am happy to share the dressing room with him, so let's see what the future brings."
