Liverpool react to Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman after angry Ryan Gravenberch outburst

Liverpool have reacted to Ronald Koeman’s criticism of Ryan Gravenberch after he turned down a call-up to the national squad, it has been reported.

Gravenberch was in line to receive a call-up to the Dutch Juniors – under-21 – squad, having not played for the senior team since last year.

But the 21-year-old rejected the call-up after joining Liverpool on deadline day from Bayern Munich.

The Dutch football federation, the KNVB, confirmed the decision in a statement on their official website, stating that Gravenberch had informed them that he wanted to focus on settling in at his new club.

They wrote: “The Liverpool FC midfielder has indicated to KNVB coach Michael Reiziger that he wants to focus on his new club during the international match in September and will therefore not make himself available.”

That did not go down well with Netherlands boss Koeman during his next press conference, with the former Everton boss fuming (quotes via Voetbal Nieuws): “For Ryan Gravenberch, we are not happy with that. Nigel [De Jong] has also been in contact with him. You can make a step through good performances at the Dutch Juniors.”

Koeman then took aim at Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, who had previously turned down a call-up to the Juniors: “We are not happy with cancellations at the Dutch Juniors. We believe he should always be available. Within the KNVB we have said that he is not available for this period. That is your duty as a player, to play for any team.”

Liverpool react to Ronald Koeman over Ryan Gravenberch comments

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are said to be ‘baffled’ over Koeman’s outburst.

It has been reported that the Reds even contacted the KNVB to discuss Gravenberch’s withdrawal, with the player also explaining his decision to management.

Koeman’s response, therefore, is said to have surprised Reds chiefs, with the midfielder now focusing on adapting to his new club during the international break rather than playing in international fixtures.

Gravenberch arrived at Anfield for an initial fee of £35 million, rising to £40 million with add-ons, on deadline day.

The Reds had made the Netherlands international one of their top targets last summer before his move to Bayern, and reignited that interest this summer.

Bayern did not want to sell the midfielder for much of the window, however, but Liverpool took their opportunity late on to secure a fourth midfield signing of the summer for manager Jurgen Klopp.

Ronald Koeman fires warning to Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch after Netherlands snub, he’s ‘not happy’

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has slammed new Liverpool signing Ryan Gravenberch for turning down a call-up to his nation’s under-21 side.

Gravenberch joined the Reds from Bayern Munich on deadline day, with the two sides agreeing an initial £35 million fee that will rise to £40 million with add-ons.

The 21-year-old was a top target of manager Jurgen Klopp last summer prior to his move to Allianz Arena, and the German retained interest in the midfielder heading into the most recent transfer window.

Gravenberch did not make his Liverpool debut in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa, as he was not registered by the Friday 12pm cutoff in order to be eligible to play.

That means he will have to wait until after the international break to make his Reds bow – and will not be playing any competitive football until then.

That is because Gravenberch turned down the opportunity to play for the Netherlands U21 side, as confirmed in an official Dutch FA (KNVB) statement: “Ryan Gravenberch will not travel to Zeist this international match to join the Dutch Juniors.

“The Liverpool FC midfielder has indicated to KNVB coach Michael Reiziger that he wants to focus on his new club during the international match in September and will therefore not make himself available.”

Koeman hits out at Gravenberch over Liverpool decision

Gravenberch has collected 11 caps for the senior Dutch national team, but has not played since a one-minute substitute appearance against Belgium in September 2022. He was not named in the nation’s 2022 World Cup squad.

He was not in line to receive any more caps during the current international window, but could have had the opportunity to get minutes under his belt with the most senior age-group side.

Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Koeman was highly critical of the midfielder, before sending him what appeared to be a warning about his international opportunities in future.

He fumed (quotes via Voetbal Nieuws): “For Ryan Gravenberch, we are not happy with that. Nigel [De Jong] has also been in contact with him. You can make a step through good performances at the Dutch Juniors.”

Koeman brought up the case of Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, who previously turned down a call-up to the U21 side and has not been named in the senior squad: “We are not happy with cancellations at the Dutch Juniors, we believe that he should always be available.

“But within the KNVB we have said that he [Frimpong] is not available for this period.

“That is your duty as a player, to play for any team. You can see that [not being selected] as a kind of punishment.”

Ryan Gravenberch gesture days into Liverpool career will impress Jurgen Klopp, he means business

New Liverpool signing Ryan Gravenberch has rejected the opportunity to play for the Netherlands under-21 side in order to focus on his new club, his country has confirmed.

In the final hours of transfer deadline day, Ryan Gravenberch put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal at Anfield, joining the Reds from Bayern Munich for a reported fee of £34.3 million.

The move completes Jurgen Klopp’s midfield revolution. After a mass exodus of players in tthat position, they have signed replacements in Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and now Gravenberch.

Meanwhile, the Dutchman has already shown his commitment to the Merseyside outfit, having made himself unavailable for international duty in order to focus on his new club.

The Netherlands announced the 21-year-old’s decision in a statement which read: “The Liverpool FC midfielder has indicated to KNVB coach Michael Reiziger that he wants to focus on his new club during the international match in September and will therefore not make himself available.”

20-year-old midfielder Fredde de Jong will take Gravenberch’s place in the squad as the Dutch Juniors prepare for their round of European Championship qualifying games against Moldova and North Macedonia.

Speaking of the first time as Liverpool player, Gravenberch told Liverpool’s website on Friday: “I’m very happy that the deal is done and I’m finally here. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“Now we start fresh again, a new start, and I’m going to give my all for this club. [My ambitions are] to win prizes. To win prizes, play a lot and show them who we are and who I am.”

Liverpool manager Klopp added that Gravenberch was “an exceptional talent” and a great “fit” alongside the midfielders the club had already signed.

“Ryan knows he has to improve things but he’s 21, it would be crazy if not. But he is super-talented, he can drive the ball, he can be a box-to-box threat,” said Klopp.

“He has a good eye for a pass and a good pass. I said before, we have a big challenge to reinvent pretty much one of the most successful midfields this club ever had, and I really like it.

“When I look now at the team, it’s a good football team, honestly.”

Ryan Gravenberch could take dream shirt number at Liverpool that has sentimental value

Liverpool are set to sign midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as Jurgen Klopp reinforces his squad on transfer deadline day.

The 21-year-old has been at German side Bayern Munich since last summer after moving to the Allianz Arena from Dutch side Ajax.

But it seems that the midfielder will be heading to the Premier League after just one full campaign in Germany, after Bayern agreed an initial fee in the region of just over £34m with the Anfield club for Gravenberch.

The Netherlands international is expected to undergo a medical with Jurgen Klopp’s side on Friday morning after flying to the UK from Germany this morning, with the transfer window closing at 11pm this evening.

Liverpool have needed reinforcements in the engine room after a summer of big change in that area of the pitch.

Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left the club on free transfers upon the expiry of their contracts earlier this summer.

And club captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have both since been sold to clubs in Saudi Arabia as part of the influx of talent from Europe to the Middle Eastern nation.

Gravenberch is set to join a new look Liverpool midfield which have all been signed in the past few months, which also includes Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo.

With Gravenberch on the cusp of having his switch to Anfield confirmed, the next question on the lips of many Liverpool fans will no doubt be what will the Dutchman’s shirt number be.

Among the numbers available in the current Liverpool squad includes 12, 14, 15 and 16, as well as 38.