Andoni Iraola has much to address when pre-season gets underway at Kirkby next week.Liverpool’s new head coach needs to inject some positivity after a dispiriting end to Arne Slot’s tenure saw the club limp home fifth in the Premier League. Iraola, who has promised a clean slate for everyone, will have six weeks on the training field before the Premier League opener against Newcastle United to put his stamp on the squad he inherited.The former Bournemouth boss has been tasked with bringing intense, front-foot attacking football back to Anfield after Liverpool lost their identity over the course of last season.Getting his methods across quickly will be made more challenging by the absence of star names early in pre-season following their World Cup commitments. There’s also the bulk of the club’s transfer business still to be done.Iraola has to find a way to get the best out of the £241million ($322m) double act of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, as well as reviving the fortunes of others who lost their way in 2025-26. He also needs to select a new vice-captain following the summer departure of Andy Robertson, who joined Tottenham Hotspur after the expiry of his contract.With Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate also moving on, Liverpool have lost some big personalities and plenty of experience. So who should be captain Virgil van Dijk’s new deputy? The Athletic ran the rule over the main contenders.Alisson BeckerThe club’s long-serving No 1 would be a popular choice both internally and among the fanbase.Alisson was part of the leadership group during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure and has continued to set standards on a daily basis since. The Brazilian goalkeeper is not a big vocal presence in the dressing room, but he commands respect. When he speaks, team-mates listen.He would bring a wealth of experience to the role as he prepares for his ninth season at Liverpool. He radiates calm and has previously filled in as captain on three occasions.Alisson Becker commands respect in the Liverpool dressing room (Carl Recine/Getty Images)However, if the plan is to have a new vice-captain who would take over as skipper when Van Dijk brings the curtain down on his illustrious Anfield career, then Iraola may have to look elsewhere.In March, Liverpool triggered their one-year option to extend Alisson’s contract until the summer of 2027. He was subsequently the subject of strong interest from Serie A side Juventus, but Liverpool had no desire to offload him.As he turns 34 in October, it’s possible that this could be Alisson’s final season at Anfield. With Van Dijk 35 and inside the final 12 months of his deal, the same goes for the Dutch defender. It would be a double act for here and now rather than with one eye on the future.Dominik SzoboszlaiThe Hungary international was the club’s standout performer over the course of last season.With 13 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, he became the first Liverpool midfielder to reach double figures for both goals and assists since Steven Gerrard in 2013-14. Having worn the armband for his national team since 2022, Szoboszlai certainly has some leadership qualities, too. He has also made no secret of the fact that he has his sights set on succeeding Van Dijk.