"It was a dagger in the heart for all of us" - Liverpool star Ryan Gravenberch's father on son's lack of game time at 2024 Euros

Ryan Gravenberch's father has spoken out about the Liverpool star's lack of minutes at EURO 2024. He admitted that it was difficult to understand why the midfielder was not selected by manager Ronald Koeman and added that it was a dagger to their hearts.

Speaking to ESPN, Ryan's father stated that his son did not deserve to be left on the bench in all the matches at EURO 2024. He added that it was difficult for them to understand the reason and said:

"Zero minutes, he didn't deserve that. It was difficult to understand and it still lingers. It was a dagger in the heart for all of us."

Talking about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, he added:

"[Jurgen] Klopp is a great guy. He taught Ryan that sometimes you may be disappointed but you should always think about the bigger picture. Ryan also learned to run the lungs out of his body. When the season was over, Ryan spoke to us as a family. He said: 'This must be my year.'"

Ryan Gravenberch played 38 matches under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in the 2023-24 season after joining from Bayern Munich for a reported €40 million. This term, he has made 24 appearances under Arne Slot in just half a season.

Ryan Gravenberch's father heaps praise on former Liverpool manager

Ryan Gravenberch's father was happy with the Dutchman's time under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. He stated that the German tactician gave his son a lot of confidence and helped him develop, more than Julian Naglesmann and Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.

Gravenberch Sr. said ahead of the 2023/24 season (via Sport Witness):

"Jürgen Klopp had more feeling and personal interest than Nagelsmann and Tuchel combined. That immediately gave Ryan a very good feeling in the first conversations. Despite the extremely busy schedule and all the things Klopp has to take into account in his work, he continued to invest a lot of time and personal interest in Ryan."

"Klopp has been very good to Ryan. He was helpful and nice, but on the other hand, he could also be tough, and he sometimes put Ryan on the bench in important matches. That’s right, he plays in the world top."

The midfielder's father continued:

“I think he is at least 50% better now than he was then. He has become even stronger and fitter. The pace at which L'pool plays is really not normal. Everything goes much faster and that has done him very well. Ryan always has to give something extra at L'pool and that has made him a much better player.”

Gravenberch is yet to score under Arne Slot but has assisted twice – having played more minutes already than he did under Jurgen Klopp last season.