'We are cool' - Szoboszlai plays down Liverpool row

What the report says

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has said he has resolved a brief apparent dispute with teammates Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas over the captain’s armband during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. BBC Sport reported that the moment followed Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium, when the three players were filmed appearing to argue after Szoboszlai handed the armband to Tsimikas rather than Jones.

Speaking in Chicago, Szoboszlai said the disagreement was not serious and that the matter has been settled. He said the players spoke on the pitch and that the issue was later amplified by outside attention. In Liverpool’s next match, a 4-2 loss to Leeds, he gave the armband to Jones, underlining that the situation had moved on.

The article also noted that Szoboszlai captained Liverpool for much of the tour because regular skipper Virgil van Dijk was absent and Joe Gomez was injured. He said there had been no discussion yet about the vice-captaincy under new manager Andoni Iraola, with the position open after Andy Robertson’s departure. Szoboszlai indicated he would accept the role if offered, while stressing respect for whoever is chosen.

More broadly, Szoboszlai said Liverpool are looking ahead to the new season with motivation after last year’s disappointing finish. BBC Sport added that the squad returns to training this week before a friendly against Monaco and then the Premier League opener at Newcastle United on 23 August.