Dominik Szoboszlai makes Liverpool leadership statement as Virgil van Dijk role addressed
Dominik Szoboszlai is believed to be one of the candidates to succeed Andy Robertson as Liverpool's vice-captain
Dominik Szoboszlai says he has to earn the right to take the step up in seniority at Liverpool as Andoni Iraola begins to assess his vice-captain candidates.
And the Reds' No.8 claims he has no problem falling in line to current captain Virgil van Dijk, despite his status as the national team leader with Hungary.
One of Iraola's first tasks at Anfield will be to appoint a deputy to club captain Van Dijk following Andy Robertson's departure and Hungary skipper Szoboszlai has been held up as a potential option as he enters his fourth season on Merseyside.
Szoboszlai, though, says it is easy to defer to the experience of the decorated Van Dijk and in an interview with France Football, the 25-year-old admits the vice-captaincy needs to be worked for as a new era approaches at Anfield under Iraola.
"Actually it’s simpler than it looks," Szoboszlai said about respecting the pecking order at Liverpool.
"It happens quite naturally. Everyone realises that Virgil is the leader period. It’s a matter of intelligence and maturity, and in that regard, Liverpool has an exceptional squad.
"If [a step up to the leadership group] is going to happen, it can only come with time. There’s a process involved; it’s not something you can just demand.
"You have to earn it, and that starts on the pitch - with excellence, consistency, and impeccable conduct. Only then do you start guiding other players, especially the new ones.
"That’s when the question of leadership legitimacy arises - never before.
"And even with all those factors in place, there’s no guarantee you’ll become captain, because beyond Virgil, there are easily eight or nine other leaders."
Szoboszlai added: "No, it’s true [I had no role models growing up]. But I did have an idol: Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Not because of his playing style, but because of his mentality - his unique work ethic. I read his book when I was young and watched videos of his training routines, that’s what inspired me about him - far more than the way he played.
"But I didn't have any role models in terms of playing style. Honestly. I wanted to be myself right from the start - nobody else.
"Because I realised very early on that there would only ever be one Zinédine Zidane, one Steven Gerrard, one Paul Pogba, one Lionel Messi, one Cristiano Ronaldo.
"You can't be the next one. You know the saying: 'Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.'"
Szoboszlai will report for pre-season training on Tuesday as Liverpool begin their summer schedule under Iraola, who signed a two-year deal last month ro succeed Arne Slot.
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