Ryan Gravenberch finally explains his decision to quit Holland – Liverpool FC

Ryan Gravenberch has returned to Holland after a season in exile, and the Liverpool midfielder is now explaining his decision to quit.

Gravenberch has been named in Ronald Koeman’s provisional squad for Euro 2024, with Marten de Roon expected to pull out of the last-placed tournament in Germany after injury.

If so, it would mark an impressive turnaround after spending the entire season without a clue after turning down a call-up to the Netherlands U21s in September.

The call came just days after Gravenberch completed his move from Bayern Munich to Liverpool, with his focus on settling in at his new club.

It wasn’t kind, but after Nigel de Jong – the Dutch FA’s technical director – visited the AXA training center in November, Koeman deemed the matter “finished”.

Now that the dust has settled, Gravenberch has now explained his position in an interview with Algemeen Dagblad.

“At that point I thought it was necessary,” he said, having already wasted a season at Bayern and with no room for error after moving to Liverpool.

“I had a conversation with Ronald Koeman and I think he is closed.

“That won’t play a role anymore, otherwise the selector won’t call me for this internship, I think.”

Gravenberch’s appointment comes after a campaign in which he played 38 times for Liverpool, but with just 21 as a starter and 12 in the Premier League.

If called up, he is expected to join as a squad player rather than a first-choice starter, but with De Roon’s injury and concerns over Frenkie de Jong’s fitness, nothing can be ruled out.

“It’s surprising to be here, in the sense that I haven’t been here in a long time,” Gravenberch added.

“But I always had the feeling that they were watching me. The selector came to Liverpool once.

“Marten is injured, and that, above all, annoys him a lot. But it increases my chances of going to Germany. There is now an additional midfield spot available.”

Koeman’s squad will be announced on Wednesday around 2pm, and the coach will then hold a press conference to explain his decisions.

The 30-man starting group is already down to 29 with De Roon’s withdrawal, but three more will have to be dropped, with a goalkeeper, midfielder and striker likely to be left out.

The Netherlands will face Canada (June 6) and Iceland (June 10) in two friendlies before taking on Poland, France and Austria in Euro Group D.