On Saturday, the Netherlands fielded Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo.
The Liverpool trio started the game for their country, helping the Netherlands defeat Bosnia & Herzegovina 5-2 in their first UEFA Nations League match.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, had grown accustomed to not only scoring goals but also playing tight at the back, as they conceded their first set of goals this season in a competitive encounter.
Van Dijk was accused of losing goalscorer Ermedin Demirović after Bosnia equalised after 27 minutes, despite his typically cool demeanour for Liverpool.
Ronald Koeman’s team led 2-1 at halftime when Gakpo scored his third goal for his country and was replaced after 66 minutes.
Given Liverpool’s excellent start under Slot, Gakpo has had to start games from the bench, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz recently causing mayhem against Manchester United.
Gravenberch has also begun well for Liverpool, and the midfielder, like van Dijk, played the full game in Eindhoven.
According to the Dutch media, Gravenberch played as if he had ‘never been abroad’ from his country.
Voetbal Primeur rated the all-action midfielder’s performance ‘7.5 out of ten’, the highest of any of his club teammates.
Gravenberch received a rating of 7.5/10: ‘He returned to the Dutch national team, but he played as if he had never left. Gravenberch definitely carried his Liverpool form with him and was quite comfortable on the ball.
Gakpo received a rating of 7/10: In the second half, the Eindhoven native scored in his hometown. The Dutch team’s leading scorer in the European Championship maintained his form this summer. However, his role was somewhat less prominent.
Cody Gakpo’s game time with Liverpool
Gakpo had a terrific Euro 2024 performance, which showed Liverpool fans what he can do if he starts on the left flank.
As of now, the 25-year-old has yet to start a Premier League game this season, with Diaz replacing him and Diogo Jota playing in the midfield.
However, Gakpo will be looking for a change of fortune under Slot after things did not go as well as he had hoped under the now-departed Jurgen Klopp.
Gravenberch is demonstrating to his fellow countryman that it is possible because he was questioned far more during Klopp’s final season.
