Curtis Jones, a 25-year-old midfielder for Liverpool, got into a heated argument with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai after their 1-0 win over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.
Szoboszlai, who was substituted off during the match, gave the captain's armband to Kostas Tsimikas instead of Jones, sparking a tense exchange between the three players as they walked across the pitch to applaud the supporters.
Liverpool rejected a £21.7m offer for Jones from Inter Milan earlier this summer, with the midfielder having one year left on his current deal at Anfield. Manager Andoni Iraola had recently expressed his desire for Jones to stay at the club, saying, "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."
The argument unfolded after a relatively uneventful match, with Liverpool's victory over Wrexham marking the end of their pre-season tour of North America. The team faces Leeds in Chicago on Sunday, their final match before returning to England.
It's unclear what specifically caused the argument between Jones, Szoboszlai, and Tsimikas, but the exchange has raised questions about the dynamics within the Liverpool squad. The club's decision to reject the offer from Inter Milan for Jones suggests they value his contributions, but the midfielder's future remains uncertain.
Szoboszlai's decision to give the captain's armband to Tsimikas rather than Jones has also sparked debate, with some fans speculating about the reasoning behind the move. The situation is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, but it will be interesting to see how the club addresses the issue and whether it affects the team's performance in the upcoming season.
Liverpool finish their pre-season tour of North America on Sunday, and it will be worth watching to see how the team responds to the controversy surrounding Jones, Szoboszlai, and Tsimikas. The match against Leeds in Chicago could provide some clarity on the situation, but for now, the exact nature of the argument and its implications remain unclear.
Source: BBC Sports