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2026-07-31 08:28 UTC → 2026-07-31 09:08 UTC ·
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Kostas Tsimikas captaincy issues dispute at Liverpool
After completing a season‑long loan at AS Roma, Greek left‑back Kostas Tsimikas rejoined returned to Liverpool on 22 July 2026. He praised 2026 after a loan at AS Roma, praising the pre‑season training programme under new manager Antonio Irulo, highlighted Irulo and noting the squad’s injury‑free status and the emphasis on ball retention and high‑intensity drills, and expressed enthusiasm about the youthful roster. Four days later, on status. On 26 July 2026, Tsimikas 2026 he was handed the captain’s armband in a pre‑season friendly against Sunderland after regular captain Joe Gomez suffered an early injury. He led Liverpool was injured, leading the side to a 4‑2 victory win and later described describing the experience on social media as a lasting memory, noting the honor of joining career highlight. During a second pre‑season tour in the club’s historic list of captains. On 31 United States, Liverpool faced Rexa (reported as REXAM) at New York’s Yankee Stadium on 30 July 2026, during 2026. Szoboszlai began the match as captain; when he was substituted he passed the armband to Tsimikas. Curtis Jones objected, leading to a further pre‑season friendly against Rexa, heated verbal exchange that also involved Szoboszlai. After the final whistle, Tsimikas removed the captain’s armband and tossed threw it onto the pitch after a heated exchange with teammate Curtis Jones, which also involved Dominik Szoboszlai. The pitch; teammates, including Jarrad Frimpong, intervened and the incident sparked discussion de‑escalated. Liverpool issued no official statement, and the episode remains a talking point in English the media about regarding squad discipline and team atmosphere ahead of the new season.