CURTIS Jones was at the centre of a heated on-pitch bust-up after Liverpool’s pre-season win over Wrexham, with the captain’s armband appearing to spark the fiery exchange.
The Reds midfielder was seen angrily confronting Dominik Szoboszlai after Thursday’s 1-0 victory at New York’s Yankee Stadium.
Curtis Jones (right) alongside Harvey Elliott (left) during pre-season, with both players being linked with moves away Credit: Getty
Jones has won two Premier League titles with his boyhood club, alongside fellow Liverpudlian Trent Alexander-Arnold Credit: The Times
Kostas Tsimikas was then dragged into the argument before cameras caught the Greek defender throwing Liverpool’s captain’s armband onto the turf – videos which leaked across social media.
The trio were walking around the pitch applauding supporters when the confrontation erupted.
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Jeremie Frimpong attempted to pull Jones away from the incident, but the Liverpool academy graduate continued exchanging words before members of the coaching staff eventually intervened.
It remains unclear exactly what triggered the dispute.
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However, during the match Szoboszlai handed the captain’s armband to Tsimikas after being substituted instead of passing it to Jones.
That decision appeared to become a major talking point once the final whistle had blown.
Szoboszlai refused to reveal the cause of the row, but hinted that emotions are running high within the squad following a summer of major change including Andoni Iraola replacing Arne Slot as head coach.
The Hungarian midfielder said: “Now that a couple of guys have left and maybe we are not the oldest in the team but we’ve been here a long time, we are all in the same boat and we want the best for the club and for each other.
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Jones with current club captain Virgil van Dijk when the Dutchman scored the winner at Goodison Park in April Credit: Getty
“We have a captain in Virgil [van Dijk] and we will follow him everywhere with what he and the gaffer says and I think I can talk from everybody’s side that we want to be successful this season.
“It’s a long term [project] because obviously we have a new manager and the team has been changed. Maybe not in a couple of months but in the long term, I think it will work out.”
The incident comes as Jones’ future continues to dominate headlines.
Inter Milan have renewed their pursuit of the 25-year-old after Liverpool rejected an opening offer worth around £21.7million earlier this summer.
Jones has been linked with a move away from Anfield with Inter pushing to sign him Credit: PA
The Athletic reports Inter have now indicated they are prepared to pay around €35million (£30m), although Liverpool continue to value Jones at closer to €40m.
With just one year remaining on his contract, Liverpool are reportedly prepared to risk losing Jones for free in 2027 rather than accept a fee below their valuation.
Jones has been with Liverpool since childhood and broke into the first team during the 2019/20 campaign, memorably scoring the winner against Everton in an FA Cup third-round tie at Anfield.
Although he has never fully nailed down a guaranteed starting place, Jones has remained an important squad player throughout Liverpool’s success – helping the club win two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.
His consistent performances have also earned him six England caps.
Should he complete a move to Inter, Jones would join former Manchester City defender John Stones in Milan as the Serie A champions continue strengthening their squad ahead of the new campaign.
Liverpool’s next pre-season game will be against Leeds tomorrow in Chicago.
