Dominik Szoboszlai's savage one-word taunt back at opponent shows Liverpool star's character
Dominik Szoboszlai has shown his mischievous side after he sent a creative barb at Real Madrid and Turkey youngster Arda Guler following Hungary's defeat in the Nations League on Sunday
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai left fans in stitches with a cheeky taunt at the expense of Real Madrid and Turkey star Arda Guler. Szoboszlai was helpless to prevent his country's 3-0 defeat by Turkey on Sunday evening, with the victors securing promotion to the UEFA Nations League A.
During the match, Liverpool's No.8 was seen clashing with Guler, who scored his team's second on the night.
After the game, a photo began circulating on social media showing the young Turkish star putting his finger up to his mouth in a shushing gesture, seemingly telling Szoboszlai to stop talking as they debated a decision in the game.
A Hungarian sports channel posted the photo, captioning it "Arda Guler told Dominik Szoboszlai to be quiet". Szoboszlai then demonstrated a stunning level of pettiness and creativity as he left a cryptic remark underneath the post that simply read "1088".
Yet the mysterious nature behind Szoboszlai's message was quickly deciphered. According to Transfermarkt, 1,088 is the amount of minutes which Guler has played for Madrid throughout the 2024/25 season.
Since joining Madrid from Turkish giants Fenerbahce in 2023, 20-year-old Guler has struggled to hold down a place in the Los Blancos first XI.
Although Guler has made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish giants this season, just six of those have come as starts in La Liga.
Szoboszlai's sleek jab didn't go under-appreciated by fans. Once the former Red Bull Leipzig's star's message was worked out, one fan took to X saying: "Szoboszlai got straight into the dressing room and Googled how many minutes Arda Guler has played this season – this is the level of hater I aspire to be."
Another said: "This is why I look up to him". And a third added: "What a man."
In comparison to Guler's rather disappointing stretch of minutes in Spain, Szoboszlai has played 2,887 minutes for Liverpool this season, racking up 40 appearances for the Premier League leaders.
While often lauded for his work-rate and off-the-ball work, Szoboszlai is now delivering more in the final third this season with seven goals and five assists for Arne Slot's title-chasing team.
Szoboszlai will be back in action for the Reds when the Premier League resumes next week with Liverpool hosting Merseyside neighbours Everton at Anfield on Wednesday, April 2.