Liverpool bid farewell to Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah at the end of last season, marking the departure of the final members of the club's long-serving core that helped deliver sustained success at Anfield.
Robertson's exit also leaves a vacancy in the vice-captain role, with a new deputy expected to be appointed ahead of the new campaign.
Virgil van Dijk is widely expected to retain the captaincy as Liverpool begin a new era under Andoni Iraola.
The race to become Liverpool's next vice-captain is officially on. Here are the leading candidates, ranked from the outsiders to the player most deserving of the armband.
3. Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez is one of Liverpool's longest-serving players, and that level of experience naturally puts him in the conversation for a leadership role.
Having spent almost a decade at Anfield, the defender understands the club's culture, expectations and standards better than most members of the current squad.
However, his case for the vice-captaincy is weakened by uncertainty surrounding his place in the starting XI.
Liverpool have been linked with several centre-backs to partner van Dijk, while the emergence of Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni could further increase competition for minutes. As a result, Gomez may find himself playing a reduced role on the pitch.
Ultimately, much will depend on how highly Andoni Iraola values Gomez's leadership qualities behind the scenes. If he is no longer viewed as a regular starter, it would be difficult to justify him being appointed vice-captain ahead of other candidates who are likely to feature more prominently.
2. Alisson Becker
I've never been a strong advocate for goalkeepers serving as a captain, largely because their position limits their influence on proceedings and communication with the referee compared to outfield players.
That said, if Virgil van Dijk remains Liverpool's undisputed captain, I would have no issue with Alisson taking on a prominent leadership role within the dressing room.
The Brazilian goalkeeper is one of the most experienced figures in the squad, having won multiple Premier League titles, the Champions League and numerous domestic honours.
Added to that is the responsibility of being Brazil's number one, a role that brings immense pressure and expectation.
If he were to be elected as the vice captain, then an on-field vice captain should share responsibilities.
1. Dominik Szoboszlai
A strong candidate for the vice-captaincy, Szoboszlai has already demonstrated leadership at international level, having captained his country in competitive fixtures and shown maturity well beyond his years.
Arguably one of Liverpool’s standout performers during the 2025/26 season, the Hungarian has established himself as a key figure in the squad, consistently influencing games with his intensity and technical quality.
His relentless work rate, competitive mentality and commitment to the collective make him a naturally respected presence within the dressing room, particularly among the club’s younger players.
There is also a growing sense that learning alongside a leader like van Dijk could further refine his own leadership attributes.
If his performances remain at this level, and he continues to operate centrally rather than being deployed out of position, his influence at Liverpool is only likely to grow further.
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