Explained: Why Liverpool’s new £34m signing Ryan Gravenberch has turned down international call-up from the Netherlands

The 21-year-old midfielder has passed up the opportunity to form part of plans for 2025 Euro U21 qualifiers against Moldova and North Macedonia. He was included in the Dutch ranks for the European Championship that took place in Romania and Georgia over the summer.

Gravenberch has also figured at senior level for his country in the recent past, earning 11 caps, but has opted to stay out of the Dutch camp entirely during the latest international break. That is because the youngster wants to focus on adjusting to life at Anfield following his £34 million ($43m) transfer from Bayern Munich.

A statement from the Dutch national team confirming the absence read: “Ryan Gravenberch will not travel to Zeist this international break to join the Dutch Juniors. The Liverpool midfielder has indicated to KNVB coach Michael Reiziger that he wants to focus on his new club during the international matches in September and will therefore not make himself available.”

Gravenberch was left out of Ronald Koeman’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He also endured a tough time at club level last season, as he made just three Bundesliga starts for Bayern, but he will have been cleared to make his debut for Liverpool by the time that they travel to Wolves on September 16.