Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has pulled out of the Netherlands national team due to an injury.
As a result, the Reds star will miss the Nation League quarter-finals against Spain this week, as confirmed by Oranje.
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has also opted against signing a replacement for the former Ajax star.
However, Koeman will be relieved to see star midfielder Frenkie de Jong regain full fitness after the Barcelona star missed the weekend’s game against Atletico Madrid.
Gravenberch hasn’t recovered from a knock he sustained during Liverpool’s defeat against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup finals on Sunday.
It also makes him a huge doubt for the Merseyside derby against Everton after the international break.
His absence will be a big setback for the Reds, who are reeling from back-to-back heartbreaks last week. They were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 before falling short against the Magpies in the Carabao Cup finals.
Following a difficult debut season at Anfield, Gravenberch has found his feet this term, becoming a key cog in Arne Slot’s midfield.
The 22-year-old has started in all of the 38 games in the Premier League and Champions League. This heavy workload is a also key reason for his fitness concerns.
Slot may have to rely on the likes of Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo if Gravenberch fails to recover in time for the derby against Everton.
There is a growing fear among the Reds supporters whether the club’s drop-in form would affect their pursuit of the Premier League title.
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Slot’s men have gained a strong foothold at the summit of the Premier League, 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
The Dutch gaffer will be hoping that the other players return from the international break unscathed.