Holland boss Ronald Koeman has hinted that “maybe the penny will drop” for Ryan Gravenberch following the midfielder’s impressive start to the season at Liverpool.
Gravenberch, who has thrived in a defensive midfield role under new Reds head coach Arne Slot, delivered a standout performance in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Koeman has frequently criticized the 22-year-old Ryan Gravenberch since he opted to withdraw from the Netherlands U-21 squad a year ago.
Gravenberch made this decision to focus on improving his match fitness at Liverpool, following his £34 million transfer from Bayern Munich.
Although Gravenberch was briefly excluded from the Dutch national team, he was later reintegrated and included in the squad for this summer’s European Championships, where he did not see any playing time.
Ahead of the Netherlands’ upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany, Koeman was asked about Gravenberch’s recent strong performances at a press conference on Tuesday.
“It might be a bit of confidence that he gains,” said the Holland boss.
“He started earlier than some other internationals. Maybe the penny will drop now.
“We have always seen a lot of potential in Ryan.
“A lot of people, including me, thought that some of his concentration, his laziness, could be improved.
“It seems he realises what is required of Liverpool’s midfield in the Premier League.
“If a player is given the confidence or the opportunity, then it can be the push in the right direction.”
Koeman also revealed that he travelled to England to discuss the future of his national team captain directly with Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk has faced regular criticism from former Dutch players regarding his performances with the national team, despite the Netherlands reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup two years ago and the semi-finals of the Euros in July.
“I noticed how Virgil was feeling, so I thought it was very important to visit him,” said Ronald Koeman.
“He indicated that he wants to give it another two years, towards the World Cup.
“I also have that feeling about him, even though, as he also indicated, he did not reach his level at the last European Championships.
“He remains captain.
“He has done that very well and we also discussed how he can manage that better in combination with his own game.
“It is very positive that he stands for the group like this, but you have to reach your own level first.
“That’s the most important thing.
“He felt that he was too concerned with others.
“But it is not without reason that he was chosen for the best Premier League team (last season).”
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