Ryan Gravenberch has sparked fresh injury worries for Liverpool ahead of their blockbuster showdown with Manchester United after helping propel the Netherlands closer to World Cup qualification. The midfielder was withdrawn at the interval as the Oranje breezed past Finland on Sunday to maintain their position at the top of their qualifying group.
Holland manager Ronald Koeman subsequently disclosed that the Liverpool star had been replaced by Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders due to a muscular complaint, explaining: “Ryan indicated he had some minor hamstring problems. Of course, we didn’t take any risks with that.” Following the match, Gravenberch addressed his absence from the second half.
“It was partly fitness related,” he said. “The season is long, so it was a precaution. I’m feeling good and I have the coach’s confidence.”
The midfielder will now head back to the AXA Training Centre for medical evaluation of any potential issue, with Liverpool’s next fixture being their Premier League encounter against bitter rivals United.
The Reds are already missing goalkeeper Alisson Becker through hamstring trouble for the clash, whilst Ibrahima Konate was sent home early from France duty with a thigh complaint and Wataru Endo sat out of Japan’s friendlies due to hamstring concerns.
Cody Gakpo bagged his third strike of the international window and Virgil van Dijk also found the net as Holland maintained their three-point advantage over Poland with two matches left to play.
Jeremie Frimpong remained an unused substitute throughout the contest. In other World Cup qualifying news, Scotland’s captain Andy Robertson led his team to a tense 2-1 victory over Belarus at home, securing at least a play-off spot.
Robertson set up the second goal for Scott McTominay, keeping Steve Clarke’s squad level with group leaders Denmark on goal difference.
However, the Liverpool defender confessed: “It doesn’t feel good. We can be honest with that.
“It doesn’t feel like a win at the minute and I think you can see that by our reaction at the end which is hugely frustrating. The performance is nowhere near where we need it to be.
“We gave them far too many chances. I don’t know if we were tired from Thursday night (when Scotland beat Greece), we put a lot into that one, but that’s no excuse.”
In the meantime, Egypt, having already secured their place in the World Cup, decided to rest Mohamed Salah for their 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau.
Despite this, Salah remained with the team and joined in the celebrations in Cairo as they look forward to next summer’s finals.