Dutch national media rate which Liverpool player was better last night - Cody Gakpo or Ryan Gravenberch

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Liverpool had a further six players in international action on Friday and Saturday morning.

After seeing five of the Reds’ squad take to the field for their countries, another half-dozen went at it a day later.

There was intrigue in South America, where Darwin Nunez played 90 minutes for Uruguay against Peru, while Mohamed Salah was on the scoresheet as Egypt beat Mauritania.

But easily the most interest from a Liverpool perspective came in Budapest, where Hungary hosted the Netherlands.

Four members of the Liverpool squad were on show at the Puskas Arena, with Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk lining up for the Dutch against Dominik Szoboszlai’s Hungary.

In the end, it was a frustrating evening for both teams. After going a goal up and seeing Van Dijk sent off for two yellow cards, the Magyars conceded a late equaliser after Denzel Dumfries headed home Gakpo’s free-kick. Here’s how the Dutch media saw the displays of Liverpool’s Oranje trio.

Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Liverpool’s Dutch trio fail to sparkle

The Netherlands have fast become something of a second team for Liverpool. With Van Dijk captaining the side and Gravenberch and Gakpo now regular starters, there is plenty to catch the eye.

As a result of Gravenberch having such a good season as well, some Liverpool fans will no doubt have tuned in to see how he got on.

As it turns out, this was perhaps not a performance on the same level as we’ve become used to seeing from the 22-year-old this season.

Given a six point five out of 10 rating by Algemeen Dagblad, Gravenberch is commended for displaying the ‘art’ of his by now trademark turn in midfield. However, it’s suggested that with the Dutch failing to find momentum in midfield, Gravenberch never really got going.

READ MORE: What Ryan Gravenberch did when he spotted Dominik Szoboszlai before Hungary vs the Netherlands

Despite providing the late equaliser with his free-kick, Gakpo is also unable to reach above a six point five rating for his performance.

While the 25-year-old is said to ‘remain an important force’ from the left, he seems to have been downgraded for failing to score an indirect free-kick from inside the Hungary box.

Nevertheless, Dumfries reportedly praised the ‘precision and speed’ of Gakpo’s whipped ball in which allowed him to score.

As for Van Dijk, the captain is rated as a five out of 10 following his sending off. A ‘nasty’ night for Virgil who will now miss Monday’s game against Germany.

Will Virgil van Dijk return to Liverpool?

Although it will obviously have been disappointing for Van Dijk to have been given a red card against Hungary, it could end up being good news for Liverpool.

At 33-year-old Virgil is still such a key player for the Reds and for his country. He doesn’t get much, so any rest he can be afforded should always be welcomed.

Given his status as captain of the Netherlands, he would no doubt have been in line to play another 90 minutes against the Germans next week.

Instead, it has been confirmed by the Netherlands official X account on Saturday morning that Van Dijk will head back to Liverpool.

While it’s never nice to see your club’s player get his marching orders on the international stage, this is no bad thing for the Reds. Only two of Liverpool’s Dutch cohort will take on Julian Nagelsmann’s team, let’s see which one comes out on top.

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