Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch being in the Netherland’s squad ahead of Euro 2024 is ‘remarkable’ and should be questioned.
That’s according to journalist Mike Verweij, who can’t understand how the Liverpool midfielder has worked his way into contention before Euro 2024.
Gravenberch is part of the Netherland’s preliminary squad for the tournament this summer, with Koeman currently assessing his options before announcing his final squad for the tournament in Germany this summer.
The midfielder has enjoyed a happier year at Anfield after arriving in the summer from Bayern Munich, where he had been frustrated with a lack of playing time after a move from Ajax.
He was a regular under Jurgen Klopp this season, although he often featured more often in the Europa League than the Premier League.
Either way, he did enough to seal a return to the Netherlands squad, with him failing to make an appearance for his country since one minute against Belgium in September 2022.
That came about after he refused to play for the youth sides, but a series of inuries have opened space in the squad, with the Liverpool midfielder and Koeman admitting as much.
Verweij doesn’t understand the decision, though, and believes his inclusion is a remarkable choice from the Netherlands’ boss.
“The fact that Gravenberch is included is also very remarkable in itself,” he said.
“(Kenneth) Taylor did very poorly in one match in the Dutch national team, but he recovered very well in the second half of the season.
“Taylor just played in the Dutch Juniors and Gravenberch didn’t do that. Gravenberch thanked the moment he had made a transfer to Liverpool.
“Then Nigel de Jong spoke very tough language, saying that he was at the bottom of the pile. Well, apparently Taylor and Dirk Proper are even further down the pile.
“Not that I am saying that they belong in the Dutch national team, but if you take a very tough measure, then that will apparently change very quickly.”
