Liverpool have been left baffled by Holland manager Ronald Koeman’s outspoken attack on Ryan Gravenberch, who declined an under 21 call-up for European Championship qualifiers against Moldova and North Macedonia to focus on settling in at his new club after completing a late transfer from Bayern Munich on deadline day last week.
Liverpool had contacted the Dutch FA to discuss Gravenberch’s withdrawal, while the midfield player also spoke to Holland’s under 21 manager Michael Reiziger to explain his decision.
These diplomatic efforts appear to have cut no ice with Koeman, who declared he was “not happy that Gravenberch refused to play for this country,” although the 21-year-old is not facing any formal disciplinary action from the Dutch FA.