Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai says he has “cleared” the situation with team-mates Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas after a video emerged last week showing the trio seemingly arguing over the captain’s armband.
The incident came after the 1-0 pre-season win against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York.
Following the full-time whistle Jones, Szoboszlai and later Tsimikas argued with each other as the team walked across the pitch to applaud supporters.
During the match Szoboszlai gave the captain’s armband to Tsimikas rather than Jones when he was subbed off, and during the argument the Greece left-back was filmed throwing it to the floor.
In the 4-2 defeat by Leeds on Sunday, Szoboszlai gave the armband to Jones.
“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.”
With regular captain Virgil van Dijk absent for the United States tour and Joe Gomez injured in the first game, Szoboszlai led the side for the majority of their trip.
Szoboszlai also said that new manager Andoni Iraola is yet to discuss the vice-captaincy, with the vacancy open following the departure of Andy Robertson to 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,” the 25-year-old 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 to the media in Chicago shortly before the Reds travelled back to the UK, Szoboszlai said he “can’t wait” for the new season.
“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.”
