Why Netherlands staff are unhappy with Liverpool signing Ryan Gravenberch
- Ryan Graveberch joined Liverpool on transfer deadline day
- Netherlands had wanted to select midfielder this month
- He will use international break to settle at Anfield instead
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has incurred the wrath of Netherlands national team boss Ronald Koeman and support staff for his decision to decline a call-up this month.
Gravenberch completed his £34m transfer from Bayern Munich to Liverpool on the final day of the summer transfer window. He was not included in the Dutch squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Greece and the Republic of Ireland this month, but that was of his own choosing.
Instead of linking up with his national team and adding to the 11 senior caps he already has, the 21-year-old will use the time to settle into his new surroundings at club level. That may seem like a fair plan, with Liverpool not playing again until 16 September, but it hasn’t impressed Koeman and co.
"We're not happy about that. Nigel de Jong has been in touch with him," Koeman said.
New Netherlands Under-21 coach Michael Reiziger also weighed in with his opinion.
READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed
"I don't think it's a good decision, I told him that. I really don't think it's good,” the former Ajax and Barcelona defender said, via Voetbal International.
"For a national team, for your country, you have to play with your heart. Not with your head. So you really have to want to be there. That is just important to me. He has made his decision to stay in Liverpool to acclimatise. I know Ryan, he is a good and likeable boy, but he made the wrong choice.
"If you can play for a national team, that is an honour. That should make you proud. There are no concessions involved. That goes for everyone, not just Ryan."
LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST
On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the deals that did and didn't happen on deadline day. They talk over Ryan Gravenberch's move to Liverpool, why Joao Palhinha didn't join Bayern Munich, Sofyan Amrabat's loan to Man Utd and more.
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!