Virgil van Dijk has suggested that Dominik Szoboszlai could one day succeed him as Liverpool captain, describing the Hungary midfielder as someone capable of “being a leader for this team.”

Szoboszlai has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers in a challenging season for the Premier League champions, impressing with his versatility, including filling in at right-back.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah praised Szoboszlai as “one of the best players in the world right now” after the 25-year-old reached 10 goals for the season during an FA Cup fourth-round win over Brighton. The midfielder is closing in on his career-best tally of 12 goals in a season, set during his time at Red Bull Salzburg in 2019/20, while his all-around play at Liverpool has earned widespread acclaim.

Vice-captain Andy Robertson, 32 next month, is out of contract at the end of the season, leaving the captaincy future uncertain.

“That’s all on the manager [Arne Slot] I think. I don’t know. Yeah,” Van Dijk said when asked if Szoboszlai could take over as captain.

“Obviously he has been very good. He’s also a player who can still make the next step in terms of being a leader for this team. It starts by leading by example, and that’s something he has done so far this season,” Van Dijk added.

“But also everything around it; there is still progress to be made, and that’s a good thing in my opinion. Hopefully he will be very important for the years to come at Liverpool.”

Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League, 17 points behind leaders Arsenal, and are still awaiting a definitive diagnosis on a foot injury sustained by midfielder Wataru Endo, who has been forced to play at right-back due to ongoing issues.

“It’s not great, he is such an important and respected member of the team, he’s one of the leaders and he always leads by example as well,” Van Dijk said of Endo.

“On the pitch he gives everything. It’s a big blow, but we have to deal with it and we will. Hopefully it’s not going to take too long, but it looks like it will be a while.”