​For all the talk about new signings – of which Liverpool will certainly make more this transfer window – Dominik Szoboszlai’s new contract will be one of the most important deals of the lot in Andoni Iraola’s first summer at Anfield.Szoboszlai is a brilliant footballer and Liverpool see him as a future leader.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith the dressing room losing the likes of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate this summer – and Alisson and Virgil van Dijk’s contracts expiring in 12 months, Szoboszlai’s long-term commitment is a massive boost for the club.Liverpool had a forgettable 2025-26 but the Hungarian was named as their player of the season after a stellar individual campaign. At various times, his leadership qualities were praised by then head coach Arne Slot too.Asked if Szoboszlai has the attributes to be a future leader, Slot said: “Yes, but he is still young. He has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example. There is still a step to make in terms of leadership, being vocal and a voice in the dressing room if I compare him to Virgil, which is completely normal.”Virgil is 34 and has seen [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson and these players, so it’s really good for Dominik that he sees Virgil. That would be the next step for him – to be as vocal and as loud as Virgil, but that comes with time.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”For all the other things, he has a lot to become a very influential player for Liverpool and you could call that a leader.”Go back to 2023 when Szoboszlai signed for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp. Klopp’s verdict then was that “this is a signing for our present and also for our future.”Szoboszlai will now be at Anfield for the foreseeable future.