Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has admitted he is still bitter about Ryan Gravenberch rejecting a national team call-up last month.
The 21-year-old midfielder signed for Liverpool at the end of the summer transfer window in a £35million deal and opted to reject joining up with the Dutch Under-21 squad in September in order to focus on settling in at Anfield.
Gravenberch’s decision did not go down well with Koeman at the time, and his opinion on the situation hasn’t changed in the subsequent weeks.
Gravenberch has not been called up for international duty this week and Koeman has explained that his anger at last month’s snub influenced his decision to omit the rising star, while he also referenced his lack of playing time since arriving on Merseyside.
‘We do have a certain opinion about cancelling for the Dutch juniors or the Dutch national team,’ Koeman said.
But I don’t think he has played much yet. Last Thursday there was a competition.’
Despite being out of the picture for now, Koeman has offered Gravenberch hope that he can work his way back into the squad if he starts to impress at Liverpool.
I still think he is a great talent. I hope he can develop at Liverpool and play more, because then he will always be a player for the Dutch national team,’ Koeman added.
Gravenberch has made four substitute appearances in the Premier League this term, but is yet to make a top flight start.
He got his first goal for the Reds in the Europa League last week in a 2-0 win against Union Saint Gilloise, suggesting he is starting to find his feet in England.
However, Netherlands will have to cope without him when they take on France and Greece in Euro 2024 qualifiers over the coming days.
Koeman’s men still have work to do to secure their place in next year’s tournament in Germany.
They currently sit second in Group B, six points behind France having played a game fewer.
