Dominik Szoboszlai breaks silence on Liverpool vice-captaincy decision

The Reds have needed a new deputy to Van Dijk since Andoni Iraola joined Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer earlier this summer and Iraola confirmed on Friday that he has a new-look leadership group at Anfield.

Van Dijk will be aided by veteran goalkeeper Alisson Becker, the long-serving Joe Gomez and Szoboszlai, who was rewarded with a brand new contract until 2031 last month.

And speaking about the promotion after his 99th-minute penalty rescued a point for Liverpool in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, the Hungary skipper believes it is a reward for the hard work he has put in at the club since his £60m arrival from RB Leipzig in 2023.

"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.

"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. "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."