Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has moved to calm speculation over a heated on-pitch exchange with team-mates Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas, insisting the disagreement has been resolved and was never as serious as it appeared.
The incident occurred after Liverpool's 1-0 pre-season victory over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York. Footage circulated showing Jones, Szoboszlai and Tsimikas in a tense discussion as the squad walked across the pitch to thank travelling supporters. The disagreement stemmed from Szoboszlai handing the captain's armband to Tsimikas rather than Jones when he was substituted during the match. Tsimikas was later seen throwing the armband to the ground during the confrontation.
Szoboszlai addressed the matter directly, downplaying the significance of what had been captured on camera. "It was never a debate between us three," the Hungary international said. "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."
In Liverpool's subsequent match, a 4-2 defeat to Leeds United, Szoboszlai handed the armband to Jones, seemingly putting the episode to rest. Szoboszlai had worn the captaincy for much of the club's pre-season tour of the United States, filling in for regular skipper Virgil van Dijk, who did not travel, and for Joe Gomez, who was injured during the opening game.
The 25-year-old also touched on the vacant vice-captaincy role at Anfield, which opened up following Andy Robertson's move to Tottenham Hotspur. Szoboszlai confirmed that new manager Andoni Iraola has not yet raised the subject with him. "No, there hasn't been any conversation," he said. "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."
He added that he would gladly accept the responsibility if offered. "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 reporters in Chicago before the squad flew back to England, Szoboszlai expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming campaign after a disappointing previous 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." He also stressed that transfer business was not his concern, saying the squad would welcome any new arrivals but was equally prepared to make do with its current options.
Szoboszlai singled out 19-year-old academy product Trey Nyoni for praise, describing him as a standout performer during pre-season training and matches despite limited game time last season. "I always knew that he's a good player... He's a very good player. The squad is short, so we need everybody," Szoboszlai said.
He also clarified earlier comments about midfielder Alexis Mac Allister's return, explaining a language slip had caused confusion. "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 resume training this week ahead of a friendly against Monaco at Anfield, before opening their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United on 23 August.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.