Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai in heated on-field dispute | OneFootball

Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones were seemingly involved in an on-pitch argument on Thursday, potentially relating to Liverpool’s captain’s armband.

During Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Wrexham in a pre-season friendly, which played out at Yankee Stadium in New York, Szoboszlai was replaced after providing the assist for Rio Ngumoha’s goal.

Szoboszlai removed the captain’s armband as he exited the pitch, handing it to Kostas Tsimikas, who had come on at half time, and the pair were involved in a heated conversation with Jones after the final whistle.

Dominik Szoboszlai (second-right) and Curtis Jones (right) pictured in April (Getty)

While it is unclear what exactly caused the confrontation, many fans have speculated that Jones was frustrated at Szoboszlai’s decision to make Tsimikas captain, based on the young Scouser’s gestures.

Jones, who came through Liverpool’s academy, appeared agitated while speaking to Szoboszlai before other players attempted to calm the situation. Tsimikas later joined in and threw the armband on the turf.

Jones, 25, picked it up before embracing Szoboszlai, who chose not to address the matter directly when it arose at a post-match press conference.

“A couple of guys left, and maybe we are not the oldest in the team, but we’ve been here a long time,” Szoboszlai said.

“We are all in the same boat, and we want the best for the club and for each other. And that means we have a captain, Virgil [van Dijk]. We will follow him every [time], what he and the gaffer are saying.

“I think I can talk from everybody’s side that we want to be successful this season.”

Liverpool’s pre-season tour ends in Chicago on Sunday as they play Leeds United, before further friendlies pit the Reds against Monaco and Como. They will then begin a fresh Premier League campaign on 22 August, taking on Newcastle United.

The impending season will be Andoni Iraola’s first in charge, after he replaced Arne Slot at the end of the 2025/26 term.

Earlier in July, the new coach said of Jones, who has one year left on his current deal: “I rate Curtis very highly. For me, he is a great, great player, and I hope he can continue with us and continue performing the way he has been performing.”