Gravenberch is hoping to earn a berth on the Dutch team with his Liverpool form

Ryan Gravenberch, a midfielder, watched the European Championship from the bench and is hoping that his early season form at undefeated Liverpool will help him earn a spot in the Netherlands team this week.

Playing every minute as Liverpool has won their first three games of the new season, Gravenberch has had a strong start to the Premier League season.

On Wednesday, he informed reporters that it was because of the faith that Arne Slot, his new manager, has in him.

“We had a talk before the season and he gave me the chance from the start,” Gravenberch explained.

“I’m handling it with relative calm. I’m thrilled that everything is going nicely. I’ve started three times. It’s good to have the coach’s confidence, and it’s paying off now.”

Though he was not used in any of the six games the Netherlands played en route to the semi-finals, he now aims to get the same confidence from national team coach Ronald Koeman, who picked him for the Euros in Germany in June and July.

At a news conference on Tuesday, prior to Saturday’s Nations League match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Eindhoven, Koeman affirmed his faith in Gravenberch while also providing an explanation for why the 22-year-old was not initially part of his plans.

“There are two aspects about him that should be better: his concentration and his tendency to be too casual at times. Now perhaps the light will go on,” Koeman remarked.

On Wednesday, Gravenberch retorted, “Everyone always says that about me, but that’s also part of me.” “I’ve started well at Liverpool now, so you don’t hear anyone say that I’m nonchalant.”