Liverpool suffer huge blow as Gravenberch withdraws from Netherlands squad due to injury | OneFootball

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has pulled out of the Netherlands squad due to an injury.

He will miss the Nations League quarter-finals against Spain this week, as confirmed by Oranje.

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has also opted against calling up a replacement for the former Ajax star.

However, Koeman will be relieved to see Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong regain full fitness after he missed last weekend’s game against Atletico Madrid.

Gravenberch hasn’t recovered from a knock he sustained during Liverpool’s defeat against Newcastle United in the League Cup final on Sunday.

He could miss the Merseyside derby against Everton after the international break.

His absence would be a significant blow for the Reds, who are reeling from back-to-back heartbreaks last week.

They were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 before losing to the Magpies in the League Cup final.

Following a difficult debut season at Anfield, Gravenberch has found his feet this term, becoming a key cog in Arne Slot’s midfield.

The 22-year-old has started in all 38 games in the Premier League and Champions League. This heavy workload is a key reason for his fitness concerns.

Slot may have to rely on Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo if Gravenberch fails to recover in time for the derby against Everton.

Fans are growing concerned that the club’s drop in form will affect their pursuit of the Premier League title.

Slot’s side have gained a strong foothold at the summit of the Premier League, 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

The Dutch manager will hope that other players return from the international break unscathed.