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Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai struck up a new rivalry with Real Madrid's Arda Guler over the international break(Image: David Balogh/Getty Images)

If there is anything to celebrate about the international break, it is the unpredictability.

How else would Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai have kickstarted an unforeseen personal rivalry with Real Madrid prospect Arda Guler?

It all began when Szoboszlai's beloved Hungary were pitted against Turkey in a play-off to settle relegation from the UEFA Nations League top division.



Unfortunately for the Liverpool man, he was unable to captain his side to success over two legs, instead falling to a rather comfortable 6-1 aggregate defeat.

During Sunday's second leg he clashed with Guler, a 20-year-old starlet of Real Madrid, who scored Turkey's second goal.

Szoboszlai tied the knot with his now wife this week and is looking ahead to a Premier League title race run-in with nine matches to go for the Reds to make good of their 12-point advantage.

Guler will similarly return to Spain, ready for the challenges that lie ahead in La Liga and the Champions League.

With Liverpool out of European competition there is no chance they meet again in 2024/25, therefore placing uncertainty over when their paths may cross again for this rivalry to enter its next chapter.

But now Aston Villa sporting director Monchi has spoken of his admiration and interest for the young Turkish playmaker, thus sparking rumours of a summer Premier League transfer.

"I know him well because he's a player that every sporting director has followed in his career in Turkey," the Villa chief told Marca.

"He's a player who met a number of requirements and could be attractive to Aston Villa because we were looking for that position.

There, he takes on roles that aren't associated with his age."

If Guler were to move to these shores, no less to a direct rival proven capable of making European competition, more frequent clashes with new foe Szoboszlai and his Liverpool teammates would come as a by-product.