Ronald Koeman lets rip at Ryan Gravenberch for 'doing nothing' in Netherlands win

• 

• Liverpool FC News
• Liverpool FC

Ryan Gravenberch had to field scorching criticism from his manager despite earning a victory

Ryan Gravenberch was subject to criticism during Netherlands' win over Norway(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Ryan Gravenberch was accused of "doing nothing" by head coach Ronald Koeman in Netherlands' friendly victory over Norway.

The Liverpool star played 82 minutes in Friday's match at the Johan Cruyff Arena in the nation's preparation for the World Cup this summer. Despite earning a 2-1 win in Amsterdam, it was the home side that fell behind first after Andreas Schjelderup's stunning opener.

The winger dazzled Denzel Dumfries with his tricks before opening up a yard of space to unleash a thunderous right-footed strike past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. However, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk levelled the scoring nine minutes later to mark his seventh goal for club and country this season.

Netherlands then took the lead in the second-half through Manchester City midfielder Tijani Reijnders but the triumph didn't result in Gravenberch escaping scathing words from his manager for his role to play in Schjelderup’s goal.

Speaking after full-time, Koeman said: "Ryan does nothing there! He needs to get to Denzel [Dumfries] earlier," Koeman told reporters. He is over the top there. Those kinds of moments in the penalty area need to improve. A full-back needs help from the inside; we didn’t do that well."

Ryan Gravenberch was criticised by Ronald Koeman(Image: Getty Images)

Gravenberch was substituted off alongside his Reds team-mate, Cody Gakpo, with the attacker earning his 47th cap for his country. It's been an arduous season for the 26-year-old with just six league goals to his name but Dutch media outlet VoetbalPrimeu gave him the joint-highest rating of 7.5 out of 10 alongside Van Dijk.

They wrote regarding Gakpo: "The left winger has often been the target of criticism at Liverpool this season, but as soon as he puts on that orange shirt, something extra emerges in him."

Part of a midfield two alongside Kees Smit on Friday, Gravenberch's transformation into a defensive midfielder last season was a considerable shock to the fanbase but it's a position the Dutchman admits he's come to greatly enjoy.

Cody Gakpo has come in for huge criticism this season

Speaking after inking his new Liverpool deal earlier this month, he said: "It's really nice to play there. When I first arrived, it was totally different. And then when Arne [Slot] came, he put me there. Of course it goes with ups and downs but since then I think we did a really great job. I'm enjoying it.

"I always said back in the days I didn't like to defend! But now when I take the ball from someone, I really enjoy it and it makes me hungry to do it more. I really like the position."