Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
Andoni Iraola during Liverpool vs Spurs
Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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What the French media said about 'typical' Bradley Barcola after France's 4-1 win over Belgium
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Liverpool loan report: How every player is getting on away from Anfield with one player really catching the eye
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Jeremie Frimpong handed new setback at Liverpool after difficult international break
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Stewart Downing says who was better during his time at Liverpool - Steven Gerrard or Luis Suarez
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Why Liverpool fans should be watching Real Madrid very closely until the January transfer window opens
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images
It has not been an international break without its problems for Liverpool, with fans still waiting to hear the full extent of injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Despite the issues for the in-form forward pair, though, it has largely been a positive period for the other Liverpool players on duty. Virgil van Dijk made his 100th cap for the Netherlands, Milos Kerkez finally scored a goal for Hungary and, best of all, Florian Wirtz has been in good form for Germany.
While Wirtz has been looking like his old self again, though, the same cannot be said for his great friend Jeremie Frimpong. Despite being recalled to the Netherlands squad by new manager Xavi after missing the World Cup, Frimpong did not play a single minute of their four fixtures. As he tries to turn things around at Liverpool, the Dutchman’s time would have been far better spent on the training pitches with Andoni Iraola.
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Frimpong makes a backward step
It has been a tough old year for Frimpong, who has not had the impact expected at Liverpool, has suffered through injuries, and finally had the heartbreak of missing out on a World Cup place which had looked virtually assured.
Iraola’s arrival and the continued absence of Conor Bradley looked to have handed him a starting spot at right-back for the Reds, but he was dropped for Ronald Araujo after only two Premier League matches. With Araujo in good form, it looks unlikely that Frimpong will be back in the XI any time soon.
Coming back into the Dutch squad was obviously a much-needed positive step for the 25-year-old, but it will ultimately now be seen as a negative. He could really have done with building on a good last outing for Liverpool, in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham, but instead his confidence may now have been shaken once again.
Iraola has continued working with Liverpool players during the international break as they prepare for a crucial run of fixtures. Had Frimpong been around, he could have spent two weeks working closely with the head coach on what he wants from him and where he needs to improve. That could have left him in a better place when domestic football resumes.
Instead, he has been travelling around Europe with the Netherlands while getting zero minutes. Frimpong would not be human if he did not feel frustration, disappointment and ultimately a lack of confidence after being overlooked in four different matches.
He will have to now put it to the back of his mind and use it as fuel to get back in Liverpool’s team and make sure he is not ignored for the next camp in November. Annoyingly, though, you feel he would have been better placed to do that if he had simply stayed at home.
It has felt like setback after setback for Frimpong since his move to Liverpool was confirmed in June 2025. While many of his Reds teammates will return to the AXA Training Centre buoyed and re-energised by their time away, he may feel like he has just been handed another big one.