Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Liverpool fans saw one of their beleaguered and underperforming players finally step up on Thursday as Florian Wirtz scored a goal and turned in an excellent display for Germany.
The performance should hopefully give Wirtz confidence as he heads back to Liverpool next week, but he is not the only Red who has needed a positive international break.
Having lost his place in the starting XI in August, Ryan Gravenberch has been looking like a shell of the player who dominated Liverpool’s midfield during the 2024/25 campaign.
Kevin Schade
Just as Wirtz will gain plenty from working under Jurgen Klopp, though, there had been hope that new Netherlands manager Xavi could reignite Gravenberch as well. And after he came on to help the Dutch turn around a two-goal deficit against Greece on Thursday, the early signs are there that the 24-year-old could now turn things back around.
Gravenberch takes a step in the right direction
Wirtz aside, few Liverpool players needed a positive international break more than Gravenberch. It has been a chastening opening to the season for the No. 38, and he looks like he badly needs a confidence boost.
Worryingly, Dutch media were not impressed by Gravenberch during the 1-1 draw against Germany last week, and after he started and played more than one hour of their 2-1 win over Serbia on Sunday, the Liverpool midfielder dropped to the bench for the trip to Greece.
With the Netherlands 2-0 down at half-time, though, Xavi opted to make a triple change, with Gravenberch brought on as part of that. Virgil van Dijk soon nodded one back, before Tijjani Reijnders completed the comeback just before the end.
Bayern Munich pair left in awe of Florian Wirtz after Germany win, 'just understands football'
Bayern Munich pair left in awe of Florian Wirtz after Germany win, 'just understands football'
Florian Wirtz reveals what Jurgen Klopp has told him to do before he returns to Liverpool soon
Florian Wirtz reveals what Jurgen Klopp has told him to do before he returns to Liverpool soon
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Van Dijk seemingly did not have his best game, despite the goal, but both Voetbal Primeur and Algemeen Dagblad were positive about Gravenberch’s impact.
The Liverpool man is said to have ‘provided more stability’ by VP, while AD confirm that the Oranje’s performance improved after his introduction.
Both outlets note that Gravenberch has not been in the best form this season, and claim that Thursday’s performance was a step in the right direction to remedying this. AD conclude by praising him for leaving a ‘very decent impression.’
What did they say about Virgil van Dijk?
While Gravenberch impressed during his 45 minutes on the pitch, Van Dijk was less in favour by the Dutch media following a sloppy display.
VP hand him a poor 5.5 out of 10 rating on what was his 99th cap, highlighting his organisation for the opening Greece goal, claiming it was ‘nowhere to be found,’ as the Liverpool captain failed to step out with his defensive line and played the opposition onside.
AD report that the Netherlands looked ‘terrible defensively’ during the first-half, suggesting that this was Van Dijk’s doing, and although they ultimately handed him a 6/10, they also note his lack of intervention for Greece’s first of the night.
With Cody Gakpo injured and Jeremie Frimpong an unused substitute, Gravenberch and Van Dijk were the only two of Liverpool’s Dutch contingent to feature against Greece, for whom Kostas Tsimikas played the full 90 minutes.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images