Szoboszlai says row over armband after New York friendly is 'cleared'

Dominik Szoboszlai said he had “cleared” a dispute with team-mates Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas after a video emerged last week showing the three appearing to argue over Liverpool’s captain’s armband following the 1-0 pre-season win against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York. Szoboszlai, who signed a new five-year deal with Liverpool in July, made the comments to media in Chicago shortly before the squad travelled back to the UK.

The footage captured an argument after the full-time whistle as Jones, Szoboszlai and later Tsimikas walked across the pitch to applaud supporters. During the match Szoboszlai had handed the armband to Tsimikas rather than Jones when Jones was substituted, and Tsimikas was filmed throwing the band to the floor during the exchange. In Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat by Leeds on Sunday Szoboszlai gave the armband to Jones.

Addressing the incident, Szoboszlai said: "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 the trip. On the question of the vice-captaincy under new manager Andoni Iraola, Szoboszlai said: "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," and added: "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, Szoboszlai said he "can't wait" for the new season and set out his aims in two quotes: "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." He also commented on transfer business: "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."

Liverpool return to training from Wednesday ahead of a friendly with Monaco at Anfield on Sunday (14:30 BST), and Szoboszlai singled out 19-year-old Trey Nyoni for praise after pre-season performances. "I always knew that he's a good player. In training, he showed his quality many times," Szoboszlai said. "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." The club note Nyoni logged 229 minutes under former boss Arne Slot last season.

Szoboszlai described the squad as starting afresh under Iraola and reiterated competition for places: "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." He also clarified a recent comment about Alexis Mac Allister, saying: "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."

Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign at Newcastle United on 23 August.