Gravenberch Under Scrutiny as Netherlands Form Reflects Liverpool Concerns

International breaks often offer Liverpool supporters a glimpse into how their players are progressing away from Anfield, and Ryan Gravenberch’s recent outings for the Netherlands have invited renewed discussion about his form. With the World Cup on the horizon, the Dutch midfielder is expected to play a central role for Ronald Koeman’s side, yet his latest display has sparked criticism at home.

Mixed Display in Poland Draw

The Netherlands travelled to Warsaw knowing a win over Poland would secure their place at next summer’s tournament. Instead, a 1-1 draw leaves them needing only a point in their final match to confirm qualification. It was a result that frustrated Dutch supporters, and Gravenberch found himself at the centre of post match analysis.

Former Celtic striker Pierre van Hooijdonk was particularly critical. Speaking to Voetbal International while analysing footage, he accused the Liverpool midfielder of failing to track his runner. “It’s laziness, because you think the ball won’t fall there anyway,” he said, highlighting moments where Gravenberch was caught out of position. He added, “Against Spain, for example, everyone was ‘on’ and no one let their man go. But when you have a lot of possession against those kinds of teams, you actually have a false sense of dominance.”

The critique stung, especially as Gravenberch had previously re-established himself as one of the Netherlands most dependable midfield options. His resurgence at Liverpool last season had earned him a prominent role under Koeman, yet the Poland fixture hinted at some recent inconsistencies.

Form at Liverpool Under the Spotlight

Gravenberch’s performances at Anfield this season have shown moments of real quality but have lacked the week to week reliability that defined his previous campaign. Liverpool had come to expect near constant eight out of ten showings, but the 23 year old has not always hit that level in recent weeks.

When he dips, the impact is obvious. Liverpool’s midfield balance depends heavily on his energy, awareness, and ability to dictate the tempo. Without his usual authority, the team can appear disjointed, especially against sides who press aggressively.

Dutch outlet AD echoed that sentiment, awarding him a six out of ten for his display in Warsaw. Against a determined Polish side fighting to keep their qualifying hopes alive, the rating was not catastrophic, but it did fuel further debate.

Opportunity to Reset Against Lithuania

Liverpool fans will be watching closely when the Netherlands face Lithuania. A single off night can happen to any player, but the concern comes if it becomes a trend. Koeman will expect more intensity from his midfield, and this next fixture offers Gravenberch a chance to reaffirm his importance for both club and country.

With Cody Gakpo unable to maintain his recent scoring run for the Oranje and with automatic qualification still requiring one more result, the Netherlands need stability in midfield. Gravenberch has the ability to provide it, but his contribution must improve in the coming week.

Importance of a Strong Response

For Liverpool, the hope will be that this period acts as a timely reminder rather than a worrying pattern. Gravenberch remains one of the most gifted midfielders in the squad, and Arne Slot will expect him to return to Merseyside sharp, focused, and ready for a demanding run of fixtures.

The foundations of his game remain strong, and his ceiling is still as high as ever. One difficult performance in Warsaw does not define him, yet the challenge now is ensuring it does not become the beginning of a slump. Liverpool rely on his consistency, and the Netherlands will depend on it too as they look to seal their place at next year’s World Cup.