It's over: Liverpool star opens up after dispute, directly addressing both involved teammates.
On 5 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool's midfielder, recently spoke out regarding the drama involving Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas, his two teammates, during the Premier League club's preseason tour in the United States.
Last week, a video surfaced showing the three apparently arguing over the Liverpool captain's armband as the team walked around the stadium thanking fans after their 1-0 preseason friendly win against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York.
During the match, Szoboszlai handed the captain's armband to Kostas Tsimikas instead of Curtis Jones when he was substituted. The video captured the Greek left-back throwing the armband on the ground amid the dispute.
Since Liverpool's actual captain, Virgil van Dijk, did not travel to the US tour and Joe Gomez was injured from the first game, Szoboszlai took on the captaincy duties for most of the tour.
However, in the recent preseason match where Liverpool lost 2-4 to Leeds United on Sunday, Szoboszlai passed the captain's armband to Curtis Jones.
Szoboszlai revealed that he has cleared the air with Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas, stating, "There was never any conflict among the three of us."
"We were just discussing things on the pitch, which the media then exaggerated into a big issue. Next time, we'll handle it in the dressing room. No one is angry with anyone. Everything is settled. We have no problems."
Szoboszlai also said that Liverpool's new manager, Andoni Iraola, has not yet discussed the vacant vice-captain position following Andy Robertson's transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. "No, there hasn't been any talk about that yet."
"Of course, we have Virgil as captain, and we have Alisson and Joe Gomez, so there’s been no discussion about this yet, even though Alisson isn't here now and Joe is injured."
"Being given this responsibility is a proud moment, but we’ll have to wait and see. It’s not a choice I made myself, and no definitive decision has been made."
"If you’re offered the chance to be Liverpool's vice-captain, you’d accept it. It would be a proud moment for me, but I respect everyone, so whoever it ends up being, we will all follow that leader."
