New Liverpool leadership group additions identified as Arne Slot given clear choices

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Liverpool have several players in their squad who captain their national teams, but could they one day be wearing the armband for the Reds?The international break has showcased just how many leaders Liverpool have within their squad, with several Reds stars seen sporting the captain's armband for their countries.Virgil van Dijk is of course accustomed to leading the Netherlands as well as Liverpool, while Reds vice-captain Andy Robertson has also been the long-time leader of Scotland. Dominik Szoboszlai, too, captains Hungary and was left distraught after his side's late defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.Elsewhere, Conor Bradley skippered Northern Ireland in their 1-0 defeat to Slovakia on Friday night, while Ibrahima Konate wore the armband for France on their trip to Azerbaijan.READ MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai in tears after Liverpool pair see World Cup dream dramatically ruinedREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah vs Bukayo Saka decision made as Liverpool star told he has to changeAnd with Robertson out of contract come the end of the season, and Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah seeing their deals expire in 2027, Arne Slot might want to think about adding to Liverpool's leadership group in the coming months, perhaps with one of the Reds' international captains in mind.Who of the current crop could you see being a future Liverpool leader though?

We asked our writers what they think.Paul GorstThe idea of Dominik Szoboszlai one day being Liverpool captain was something that was actually put to the Hungary skipper shortly after the recent 1-0 win over Real Madrid.Szoboszlai, despite his growing influence - and the fact that has pretty much be the Reds' player of the season so far - stepped short of staking his claim, however."We have enough leaders with Virgil (van Dijk), with Mo (Mohamed Salah), with Robbo (Andy Robertson), with Ali (Alisson Becker)," he said."They have been here longer, some of them seven or eight years here, the captain and vice-captains. If it seems like I am a leader, then I'll keep doing that on the pitch, not outside the pitch."It was a measured answer from the No.8, who seemed keen not to tread on toes over be seen to be looking to catapult his way up the pecking order but Szoboszlai, at the age of 25, could be a long-term leader of this Reds squad.As national captain of Hungary, he knows all about being the guiding light and main man and while his best years are theoretically ahead of him, the tireless midfielder is growing in value for Arne Slot during what has so far been a troubled season.Conor Bradley is another who, over the course of the coming years, is only likely to become a more important figure within the squad.Slot said recently that the Northern Irishman simply has to stay fit to make the most of his potential and the fact that he has already skippered his national side speaks volumes for a player who is still just 22.For Szoboszlai and Bradley, the chance to learn up close from the Liverpool leaders like Van Dijk, Salah and Robertson - three national-team captains - can only help their chances further down the line.Professionalism, preparation and dedication are all unseen elements that make a top-level pro and Salah, Van Dijk and Robertson have epitomised that over the years on Merseyside.

Szoboszlai and Bradley will no doubt have picked some of that up already.With Trent Alexander-Arnold long gone and Van Dijk, Salah and Robertson all in their 30s, the next generation of Liverpool's leadership will slowly have to reveal itself in the coming months and years. Szoboszlai in particular looks like he is primed to step up, even if he isn't saying it publicly just yet.Mark JonesIt has been a disappointing season for Liverpool so far of course, but there has been something quite glorious about the sight of a player barrelling around midfield with an Adidas shirt on, the No.8 on his back and possessing a right foot that can cause damage from just about anywhere.The 'Gerrard Generation' will never get their spiritual leader back, and indeed being the captain of Liverpool in 2025 is a very different job these days to the one that Gerrard would often have to do, but I could certainly see Dominik Szoboszoal wear the armband in the months and and years to come.Szoboszlai likes to lead by example like Gerrard did, and he's been Liverpool's best player this season and the leader of a pressing game that, when on point, is one of the finest in the world.The Hungarian certainly looks to be a Liverpool captain of the future, and I'd like to see his growing importance to the side rewarded with a new deal and perhaps a new status in the squad very soon.