Blow for Liverpool as midfielder ruled out with knee injury

Liverpool are sweating over the fitness of key midfielder Ryan Gravenberch after he was ruled out of the Netherlands squad due to injury.

Gravenberch, 22, has been one of the most consistent players in a Liverpool side that has opened up a 12 point lead at the top of the English Premier League log.

Gravenberch has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad for their two-legged Nations League quarter-final against Spain, in what is a huge blow for manager Ronald Koeman against the current European champions.

He limped off during the Reds' Carabao Cup final defeat by Newcastle at Wembley on Sunday.

"The midfielder is still suffering from an injury sustained over the weekend that prevents him from playing in the matches against Spain," the Netherlands' national team said on their X (Twitter) page.

Dutch boss Ronald Koeman has opted against calling up a replacement for the Spain fixtures, with Teun Koopmeiners expected to replace Gravenberch in the starting line up.

The first match will take place in Rotterdam on Thursday with the return leg in Valencia on Sunday.

Following the international break, Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby on April 2.