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Holland coach Koeman snubs Liverpool midfielder Gravenberch as row continues

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been snubbed by Holland coach Ronald Koeman.

Despite a raft of late withdrawals - and the impressive form of Gravenberch - Koeman has turned elsewhere to cover his injury absences.

The decision stems from August's international break when Gravenberch rejected a call-up to the Holland U21 squad in order to focus on his move to the Reds. The decision drew criticism from both Koeman and U21 coach Michael Reiziger.

Reiziger has since stated: "It would be strange if it were now over with him [Gravenberch] at the Dutch Juniors. He is a boy with a lot of potential and he is still young. I think that a person always deserves an extra chance. Not everyone makes the best decisions or one where you the consequences of this.

"Nigel [de Jong, director of football at the KNVB] has had contact with him, but I have not. It was not an option to call him up now. The signal has now been sent to him, but you are still busy with a group. It is something you have to want to belong to.

"I don't know if this is a one-off. But we are not going to write off young players anyway."

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