Andoni Iraola makes his feelings clear on Dominik Szoboszlai as vice-captain decision awaits
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Dominik Szoboszlai has signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool until 2031, and Reds boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking about the midfielder's leadership qualities and the club's vice-captain plansAndoni Iraola is the new Liverpool boss(Image: Getty Images)Andoni Iraola believes Dominik Szoboszlai's new contract represents the standout moment of his fledgling Liverpool tenure — and has revealed when he'll announce a fresh vice-captain.Szoboszlai committed his future to the club last week by signing an enhanced five-year deal that secures his presence at Anfield until 2031. The Hungary international has established himself as a crucial midfield presence since his switch from RB Leipzig and was recognized as Liverpool's outstanding performer last season.Iraola has expressed his delight at Szoboszlai's agreement and is already struck by the 25-year-old's impact within the Reds' dressing room.
"I think this is one of the probably greatest news since I arrived, his commitment to this club, his contract renewal," said Iraola."Also, he has come in a great shape. He has been leading by example in training, he's pushing a lot."I think young players should be looking at him, the way he is training and he competes."And definitely he has to be one of our leaders looking forward and I'm looking forward to having him in my team, to try to use him in the best way, to try to help him feel comfortable and try to make him continue the same way he's having — and even, if we can, improve what he's already doing."Dominik Szoboszlai has committed his future to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Such leadership attributes have positioned Szoboszlai as a contender for Liverpool's vacant vice-captaincy role alongside club captain Virgil van Dijk, following Andy Robertson's summer departure to Tottenham.Iraola, however, is postponing any announcement until his World Cup players return, with none of the Reds' eight tournament representatives having yet linked up with the squad for preseason preparations."I will address (it later in preseason) because I still haven't met almost half of the squad, I still haven't seen them face-to-face," he said."So, I think we will take the decision when it happens."But I always say, you don't need to wear an armband to be a leader, to be a captain."Sometimes I understand here in England it has a lot of meaning, but I've had a lot of captains, leaders without wearing the armband."You can lead a team, you can be an important player, not just because one wears (an armband) it has to be like (that)."We need more than one or two vice-captains, we need a lot of captains in the pitch, we need as many as we can.
Yes, I'm sure that whatever the decisions we take in terms of the armband, a lot of players will continue leading."