Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony believes Curtis Jones threw a ‘temper tantrum’ during his row with Dominik Szoboszlai during pre-season.
Footage posted on social media captured tension between the two Liverpool midfielders after a 1-0 friendly win against Wrexham.
Szoboszlai handed the armband to Kostas Tsimikas during the match, a decision that appeared to irk Jones.
The trio were spotted in discussion at full-time and Tsimikas opted to throw the armband onto the floor.
Jones picked it up and slightly pushed an annoyed Szoboszlai away, but then continued to argue with him by the side of the pitch.
His frustrations come amid a potential summer exit from Liverpool, with Inter Milan having two approaches rejected.
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However, MacAnthony was not a fan of his attitude, as he told talkSPORT: “He’s acting like a spoilt brat. I saw his behaviour last night on the pitch…
“I understand the frustration that he should have got the armband. He’s a Scouser, he’s been there 20 years, blah blah blah.
“But to act like that and to carry it on, because it went on for about two minutes.”
MacAnthony added: “He was having a go at Szoboszlai, who handed the armband over, I think, to Tsimikas, I believe Curtis Jones had the temper tantrum over that.
“That behaviour can’t happen, not from a graduate from the academy, he’s too into himself.”
With Jones looking to move on this summer, MacAnthony insisted that Liverpool are the ones who control the cards.
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He stated: “So he wants to leave? Well, OK, now Liverpool have to get the best deal for the football club, that’s how it works.
“You don’t get to throw your toys out of the pram and do it slowly, knowing him, and then act like that.
“I just don’t understand it, you’re playing for one of the biggest football clubs in the world, you came through the system. Behave, stop. All eyes are on you, that’s not behind closed doors.
“That might go on in training and all those things, but you don’t want to see that going on for millions of people to watch.”
MacAnthony added: “I hate seeing stuff like that, I really do, I think it’s so petulant, do you know what I mean?
“And then you’re liking Inter Milan’s post (of John Stones signing for the club), OK, we get it, you want to go to Inter Milan, you’ll probably last five minutes out there.”
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What next for Jones?
New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola is keen to keep Jones at the club, as he remarked: “I rate Curtis very highly, for me, he is a great player.
“It’s very important he’s Scouse, that he’s from here, I also like the personality, I hope we can keep him, not only for this year, more time.”
Jones only started only 18 of their 38 Premier League matches last season amid strong competition for places in the midfield.
Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch appeared to be the go-to options under former head coach Arne Slot.
However, Mac Allister has been linked with a departure as he has less than two years remaining on his deal at Anfield.
Jones would likely have more chances for minutes if the Argentine was to go, but it looks as though he’s keen to leave himself.
