05 Apr 2026 12:02:30
We all know the issues with the club and team. The topic has been done to death:

Slot. Hughes and Edwards. Lack of fitness. Players not being arsed, etc.

But one of my biggest concerns for next season is leadership within the squad.

Slot is currently my number one concern, but I believe he'll be gone next season. On the other hand, we have very few leaders and the players we're linked with aren't really that either.

In our current squad, I consider Robbo the best leader and captaincy option, but he's no longer a starter and there's every chance he goes at the end of the season.

VvD is not a leader and should not be our captain next season. He's like a teenager that throws his arms up and blames others for everything.

So who do you captain?

I know Szobo is the Hungary captain. Maybe he's the best option, but he's not quite the captain type in my opinion and I worry his head would get too big with the role.



Ali? Maybe. I'm not a big fan of goalkeeper captains but maybe. He seems like a fairly quiet guy though.

Beyond the captaincy, I'd love for us to get some more experienced players who are leaders even if they're not the captain. We often go young exciting prospects but I feel we're in desperate need for leaders!

I'd love someone like Anderson who, despite being young, has leadership qualities in my opinion, but he seems mostly linked with the Manchester clubs. Would also like a more experienced CB if Konate goes, not just another young guy.

Anyway, I think this is an important area I hope the new coach pays attention to. I pray we get CL so we can go for the top players next season!

1.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 12:21:55
I share the exact same concerns. Dom is the obvious choice as he's the only one out there who's playing like a captain, but I do worry he's not aggressive enough, I don't see him lighting a fire under anyone out there at the moment, which is the kind of trait you want to see in a potential captain, whether he's wearing the armband or not.

He's the only real candidate right now, so I'm hoping he'll step up to the plate because Virg just isn't doing it, which is a shame, I really thought he'd do better in the role considering his experience.

2.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 12:23:29
I'd get in a guy like Lacroix.

3.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 12:32:01
There is nobody in the current starting XI with the cojones required to be captain. They all appear to be petulant pouting sulkers. Maybe Salah would have been a better choice than Virgil.

If it were solely based on passion and fight, then it is a 2-way shootout between Endo and Chiesa, as sadly Robbo appears to be off next season.



However, neither of these two are of the preferred age nor standard required.

4.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 12:36:55
Ed1, do you see all three stooges being gone this summer? There were articles from both Joyce and Ornstein during the international break which insist that FSG is fully backing Slot, FSG sees him as the one to turn things around; Slot is their man, etc. Joyce also stated that Edwards might not renew his contract, and that Saudi clubs are interested in Hughes as DoF.

I consider Joyce to be quite reliable when it comes to Liverpool news, so it looks like Slot might stay while the other two could leave, which is worrying because I can't really think of any reasons to keep Slot for another season. Personally, I want all three to be gone this summer, but FSG might think that's too much change at once.

{Ed001's Note - I expect the crowd to turn, and all 3 to go because of it. I don't believe a word Joyce says. I would be stunned if Slot was in charge next season.}

5.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 13:05:11
Joyce = firms man. He'll spout what he's told.

6.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 13:38:28
Chewy, agree, mate. I think likely VvD or Dom get it next season. I'd rather Dom since VvD didn't clothe himself in glory.

SSSS, Lacroix is a really good shout. Has done very well in a struggling CP that lost Olise, Eze and Guehi in the last little while, plus extended periods of time with an injured Sarr and very out-of-form Mateta. Lacroix really stepped up in that squad after Guehi left and you can tell he's outspoken and a strong personality.



StEtienne, gotta feel for Endo. Was captain in his previous team, captain for Japan, too. Did a job for us under Klopp and always gave his best. Then Slot barely used him and he's now injured in a race to make the WC squad. Really sucks for the guy.

7.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 13:38:57
If you don't sign players that like to tackle, you can't cry about not having leaders when the chips are down.

8.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 13:41:46
We've seen our senior players over the years at times, Down Tools.

This is no different, and they all sacked the season off last year. There's only one fixture that matters, and it happens to be Next.

9.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 14:52:12
Agree with StEtienne.

If there is a way we can get Bruno Guimares, he'd be my captain.

10.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 16:57:45
FSG fully back Slot?

Really? Did they appoint him? Or did FSG appoint people to look after these footballing matters?

11.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 17:19:50
JLC, although people are of course hired to deal with the formalities of appointments and whatnot, ultimately FSG have final say on such matters.

Edwards/Hughes are not acting as some ''commander-in-chief'' duo. They make recommendations to the board/owners. They don't call the shots on big decisions like this. They have freedom on day-to-day running matters but not major decisions like managerial appointments.