LIVERPOOL new boy Ryan Gravenberch has left Holland boss Ronald Koeman fuming just days after completing his transfer from Bayern Munich.
Gravenberch became the fourth midfielder to sign for Jurgen Klopp’s team this summer when he sealed his £34m switch on Friday.
The 21-year-old missed the Reds’ 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday but was set for international action this week after getting the call to represent his country’s U21 side for their Euro qualifiers with Moldova and North Macedonia.
However Gravenberch, who has 11 senior caps for Holland, has rejected that call-up in order to focus on Liverpool.
He has told the Dutch FA that he was making himself unavailable as he wanted to prioritise adapting to life in England following his big move.
But the decision has not gone down well in the Dutch camp, with senior manager Koeman admitting that he was “not happy with Ryan Gravenberch refusing to play for his country” as he revealed his assistant Nigel de Jong had been in contact with the ace over the snub.
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And U21 No.2 Michael Reiziger also slammed the star’s actions.
Koeman said: “Nigel has spoken to him. 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 is not available for this period. That is your duty as a player, to play for any team.”
Reiziger told VI: “I don't think it's a good decision, I told him that. I really don't think it's good.
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“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 here.
“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.
“A player who joins the Dutch Juniors must come with his heart and must fight for his country. The players who play with their heart always get something more out of it. As a trainer you also benefit from this.
“If you think it is nice and non-binding, then you are wrong. Nothing is optional at the top. And you are playing with the best in the Netherlands here, so it is certainly not without obligation.
“For me this is not a statement, because then it would have already been played. More of a principle that I pass on to all my players. Playing for the Dutch Juniors is an honour and you do that with your heart.”
Gravenberch will now be focusing on Liverpool’s return to action on September 16 when he will be hoping to make his Premier League debut away to Wolves.
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