New Liverpool signing Ryan Gravenberch has rejected the opportunity to play for the Netherlands under-21 side in order to focus on his new club, his country has confirmed.
In the final hours of transfer deadline day, Ryan Gravenberch put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal at Anfield, joining the Reds from Bayern Munich for a reported fee of £34.3 million.
The move completes Jurgen Klopp's midfield revolution. After a mass exodus of players in tthat position, they have signed replacements in Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and now Gravenberch.
Meanwhile, the Dutchman has already shown his commitment to the Merseyside outfit, having made himself unavailable for international duty in order to focus on his new club.The Netherlands announced the 21-year-old's decision in a statement which read: "The Liverpool FC midfielder has indicated to KNVB coach Michael Reiziger that he wants to focus on his new club during the international match in September and will therefore not make himself available."
20-year-old midfielder Fredde de Jong will take Gravenberch's place in the squad as the Dutch Juniors prepare for their round of European Championship qualifying games against Moldova and North Macedonia.Speaking of the first time as Liverpool player, Gravenberch told Liverpool's website on Friday: "I'm very happy that the deal is done and I'm finally here. It's one of the biggest clubs in the world."Now we start fresh again, a new start, and I'm going to give my all for this club. [My ambitions are] to win prizes. To win prizes, play a lot and show them who we are and who I am."
Liverpool manager Klopp added that Gravenberch was "an exceptional talent" and a great "fit" alongside the midfielders the club had already signed.
"Ryan knows he has to improve things but he's 21, it would be crazy if not. But he is super-talented, he can drive the ball, he can be a box-to-box threat," said Klopp.
"He has a good eye for a pass and a good pass. I said before, we have a big challenge to reinvent pretty much one of the most successful midfields this club ever had, and I really like it.
"When I look now at the team, it's a good football team, honestly."
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