Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai says he has resolved the issue with Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas after a video surfaced last week that appeared to show the trio arguing over the captain’s armband.
The incident followed a 1-0 pre-season win over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York. After the final whistle, Jones, Szoboszlai and later Tsimikas exchanged words while the team crossed the pitch to applaud the supporters. During the match, when Szoboszlai was substituted, he handed the armband to Tsimikas rather than Jones; during the dispute, the Greece left-back was filmed throwing it to the ground. In Sunday’s 4-2 defeat to Leeds, Szoboszlai gave the armband to Jones.
Szoboszlai said it wasn’t a dispute between the three of them, but a discussion that was blown out of proportion by media attention. He added they would handle such matters in the dressing room next time, no one was angry, and everything is now settled.
With regular captain Virgil van Dijk absent from the United States tour and Joe Gomez injured in the first game, Szoboszlai captained the side for much of the trip.
He also said new manager Andoni Iraola has not yet addressed the vice-captaincy, which is vacant following Andy Robertson’s move to Tottenham Hotspur. Szoboszlai noted there has been no discussion, pointing to leaders such as Virgil, Alisson and Gomez. Wearing the armband was a proud moment for him, but the decision isn’t his and nothing is fixed. He said that if offered the vice-captaincy at Liverpool he would accept it proudly, while respecting and following whoever is chosen.
Speaking to the media in Chicago before the squad flew back to the UK, Szoboszlai said he can’t wait for the new season. He feels the team is ready and motivated after a disappointing last campaign and said recruitment is up to the club and manager: they will welcome any new arrivals, and if none come in, they will aim to achieve something special with the current group.