Liverpool fans are facing the prospect of losing Virgil van Dijk next summer as the Reds ponder whether to extend the Dutchman’s contract.

It has not been a stellar campaign for him so far, leading to supporters questioning whether Van Dijk should stay, or if the time has come to move on from one of the greatest centre-backs in the club’s history.

If he does depart, there is an argument that Jeremy Jacquet is ready to replace Van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, but there would also be a need to find another captain at Anfield after four years of his leadership.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been tipped to step up, but the Hungarian has not always convinced as a leader at Anfield. Instead, Alexis Mac Allister deserves to wear the armband. Sunday’s win over Crystal Palace was yet another example of the No. 10 delivering as one of the team’s most experienced players, and, though he has a contract situation of his own, if that is resolved, Mac Allister should be Liverpool’s next captain.

Alexis Mac Allister should be Liverpool’s next captain

Szoboszlai has experience of leading a team having been captain of Hungary since 2022. However, the 26-year-old often cuts a petulant figure on the pitch when things are not going his way, and he has taken frustrations out on the fans in the past.

Mac Allister, by contrast, is one of the few Liverpool players who you can say is up for the fight every single match. When others were accused of being too nice against Arsenal recently, the Argentine was notably getting in the Gunners’ faces.

While it obviously takes more than this to be captain of a club like Liverpool, Mac Allister was the only Liverpool player who stood up for Victor Munoz on Sunday when he was being taunted by Palace’s Jefferson Lerma.

Okay, Munoz dived in an attempt to perhaps con the referee into booking Lerma, and the Colombian was within his rights to take exception to that. But when he leant down to have a strong word with Munoz, it would have been nice to see a few more Liverpool players back their teammate up.

Mac Allister was decried on commentary by former England goalkeeper Rob Green for getting involved unnecessarily, and the 27-year-old was booked for his troubles. But, from a Liverpool point of view, it was good to see him racing half the length of the pitch to defend his younger colleague.

It was not the first time we have seen something similar from Mac Allister, and after four years with Liverpool, he deserves to be in the reckoning if the armband changing hands this summer.

Mac Allister must sign a new contract

For that to happen, obviously, Mac Allister’s contract situation needs to be resolved. The former Brighton man has been heavily tipped to leave next summer, and unless Liverpool get a move on with talks over an extension, that seems likely to happen.

Prior to the season starting, most supporters would have accepted that outcome. Mac Allister had dropped off massively from the player who helped drive Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2025, and a parting of the ways looked like being best for everyone.

But, as his opening goal against Palace on Sunday further demonstrated, he is back to being one of Liverpool’s best and most influential players. There have been reports that the Reds are now open to extending Mac Allister’s contract, and if his form continues going in the right direction, they absolutely have to.

While some of his teammates continue to struggle for consistency, Mac Allister was one of Liverpool’s best players against Crystal Palace, and if he can battle through the uncertainty over his future and come out the other end with a new contract, he deserves the captaincy even more.

It will not be easy for the Reds to move on from Van Dijk on the pitch, and no matter the qualities of Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, they will surely find that once the 35-year-old does depart. But, off it, at least, they have a ready-made replacement in Mac Allister who looks like he would thrive with the responsibility of being captain. A lot has to fall into place for this to happen, but