Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai says his disagreement with Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas over the captain’s armband has been resolved, insisting the three players are now “cool”.
The incident followed Liverpool’s 1-0 pre-season victory against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York last week. As the squad moved across the pitch to applaud the supporters after the final whistle, Jones, Szoboszlai and later Tsimikas appeared to argue.
Szoboszlai had handed the captain’s armband to Tsimikas rather than Jones when he was substituted during the match. The Greece left-back was then filmed throwing the armband to the ground during the exchange.
In Sunday’s 4-2 defeat by Leeds, Szoboszlai passed the armband to Jones when he left the field.
“It was never a debate between us three,” said the Hungary captain. “We just discussed something on the pitch. Which actually, after, you guys [the media] make it very big. But next time we will manage to do it in the changing room. Nobody was angry at no-one. It’s all cleared – we are cool.”
Regular captain Virgil van Dijk did not travel on Liverpool’s United States tour, while Joe Gomez was injured during the opening game. Those absences meant Szoboszlai led the team for most of the trip.
The 25-year-old also said new manager Andoni Iraola had not spoken to him about the vacant vice-captaincy. The role became available after Andy Robertson left Liverpool for Tottenham Hotspur.
“No, there hasn’t been any conversation. Obviously we have Virgil as the captain. We have Ali [Alisson]. We have Joe Gomez. So there was no conversation at all. Obviously Ali is not here and Joe is injured. It was a very proud moment to have it and let’s see. It’s not my choice. It’s not fixed,” he said.
“If you get offered the vice-captaincy at Liverpool, you’re going to take it. It would be a proud moment for me. But I respect everybody, so either way, whoever it’s going to be we’re going to follow them.”
Speaking in Chicago before Liverpool travelled back to the United Kingdom, Szoboszlai said he was eager for the new campaign to begin.
“I feel we are ready to go again and take motivation from the last season, because it was not the best,” he said. “We didn’t end up where we wanted to, so now we’re going to go for it again.
“It’s not my job to tell you who we have to sign or if we have to sign someone. If the guys above and the manager decide to sign someone, we are very happy and will welcome them. If they decide not to, then we have to do something special with this squad.”
Nyoni impresses during pre-season
Liverpool’s players return to training on Wednesday before hosting Monaco in a friendly at Anfield on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 14:30 BST.
Szoboszlai praised 19-year-old Trey Nyoni, who has been among Liverpool’s most impressive performers during pre-season. Nyoni played 229 minutes under former manager Arne Slot last season but has made a strong case for greater involvement under Iraola.
“I always knew that he’s a good player. In training, he showed his quality many times,” said Szoboszlai. “Also when he had the chance to play in some cup games or even in the Premier League. He’s a very good player. The squad is short, so we need everybody.”
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United on 23 August, and Szoboszlai believes the arrival of a new manager has given the entire squad a fresh opportunity.
“It’s a new manager. Everyone is motivated. I think I see in everybody’s eyes that he wants to play – and if you want to play, you have to give your best,” he said.
“And from there on, the manager is going to decide who is going to play. But everybody is on zero right now.”
Szoboszlai also clarified comments he made at a media conference on Thursday, when he appeared to suggest that Alexis Mac Allister’s return was uncertain.
“That’s my English, guys. It’s not ‘if’ – it’s ‘when’ he comes back. So now I make it clear. He’s coming back and he’s going to be part of the team as much as I know.”
