Jeremie Frimpong orders Tottenham star to 'have respect' as Hugo Ekitike causes immediate stir

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Enduring a week to forget prior to the latest window, the Reds fell to three successive defeats against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.With both domestic losses coming courtesy of stoppage-time winners, it was a bitter pill to swallow for Arne Slot’s side as the reigning Premier League champions surrendered top spot in the table to Arsenal.Yet it seems that a change could be as good as a break for the majority of Slot’s ranks, with no less than 15 of his senior stars called up for international duty.READ MORE: Florian Wirtz has already told Liverpool where to play him as he makes 'sad' claim about transferThey have all been in good spirits too, judging by the various pictures and videos shared by their respective national sides, as the Liverpool contingent looks to bounce back from their struggles at club level.Florian Wirtz is putting in extra training with Germany as he looks to kickstart his Reds career, while Andy Robertson has shaken off injury concerns after picking up a knock against Chelsea to take part in full training with Scotland.The first day of fixtures took place on Wednesday, as Mohamed Salah enjoyed a day to remember. And with a number of his Reds team-mates also set to take to the field over the coming days, the ECHO takes a look at how Liverpool’s internationals are all faring during the break…Frimpong tells ‘sore loser’ Spurs star to ‘have respect’While Jeremie Frimpong might not have enjoyed the best start to his Liverpool career on the pitch, there is no doubting his impact off it.

The Netherlands international is certainly a lively character, and he has wasted no time settling in with his new team-mates.Inevitably, he is a popular figure in the Dutch camp too. Why did he kick the ball away?”Turning to Simons, he then said: “Hey, have respect, have respect bro!”Both Frimpong and Simons will be options to start on the right wing for the Netherlands when they take on Malta in their latest World Cup qualifier on Thursday night, before hosting Finland on Sunday.Content cannot be displayed without consentEkitike causes a stir to impress two-time World Cup winnerHugo Ekitike has enjoyed an impressive start to his Liverpool career, returning five goals from his first 10 appearances, and will be looking to take such form into the international break with France.The striker made his debut and second outing for his country - both as a late substitute - during the last break, but could be in line for a full debut this time around.The 23-year-old has been handed the number nine shirt and with Kylian Mbappe an injury doubt, as well as a number of France’s usual forward options not making the squad because of their own ailments, Ekitike is at least an option for a more prominent role this time around.He has done his hopes no harm in training either, as he continues to impress manager Didier Deschamps - with the Frenchman one of only three men to have won the World Cup as both a player and manager.The France national side released a video of a shooting drill on their social channels, with Ekitike seen to find the corner with shots from both his right and left foot.And his finishing earned him praise from Deschamps, as the two-time World Cup winner could be heard saying: “Oh yes, that’s what happens when you’re two-footed!”France host Azerbaijan in their latest World Cup qualifier on Friday before travelling to Iceland on Monday.Content cannot be displayed without consentKonate edges closer to injury returnIbrahima Konate remains with the France squad despite suffering a quad injury in Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea, with it appearing the issue is only minor.The centre-back has been pictured in training, though he has also been seen working individually alongside Mbappe as France managed the pair carefully.L’Equipe reports the pair trained “without any apparent discomfort at the start of the session,” at France’s latest session on Wednesday, before undergoing their own individual training.While it remains to be seen if Konate will be fit to face Azerbaijan on Friday, Liverpool can at least be reassured that his injury suffered at Stamford Bridge was indeed not that serious.Salah makes history before ending social media ‘silence’When Liverpool were storming towards the Premier League title last season, a Mohamed Salah post-match selfie was a regular occurrence.

And with the Reds losing their last three matches, the last time he posted anything on his social feeds came after Slot’s side’s Merseyside derby win over Everton.But that ‘silence’ is now over after Salah made history to help Egypt book their place at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday evening.The forward scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Djibouti, as he first finished smartly in the first half when one-on-one, before lobbing the goalkeeper with a first-time volley late in the second half when played in behind the defence.Such goals saw Salah move clear at the African all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup qualification, with his haul now standing at 20 as he moved two clear of Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Islam Slimani.The 33-year-old is now set to compete at his second World Cup, having also scored the goal that booked Egypt’s place at the 2018 finals in Russia.While Sergio Ramos ultimately hampered his impact in that year’s tournament, Salah will be looking to exorcise those past demons as Egypt prepare for what will be only their fourth-ever appearance at the World Cup.Understandably, the Pharaohs were delighted after the final whistle. Germany are a top team and not many sides have beaten them in the last few years."Slovakia are a very good team with good players, but we have some good players too, so we're looking forward to it."