Clubs line up for Liverpool defender taking same route as emerging duo

Sepp van den Berg TEAMtalk

Liverpool are hoping to secure a loan move away for young defender Sepp van den Berg and have spoken to three possible clubs.

The 19-year-old moved to Anfield in June 2019, with the Reds paying PEC Zwolle £1.3m for his signature. He has made four first-team appearances but none this season and has yet to feature in the Premier League.

The Merseysiders have suffered injury problems in defence this term. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are all crocked but Van den Berg has still not been utilised.

He has played exclusively for the Under-23s while 19-year-old Rhys Williams was promoted to the senior ranks. It seems as though Liverpool would rather he spent time playing away from the club to increase his experience.

Clubs in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland have been contacted over a temporary move, claim Goal, who are reporting that a deal is likely to go through in the coming week.

Jurgen Klopp hopes that the Netherlands Under-19 ace can be the latest Red to benefit from a loan spell.

Nat Phillips has joined Williams in seeing first-team action in 2020-2021. The duo were sent out on loan last term and returned as better players.

Williams was loaned to sixth-tier Kidderminster, while Phillips spent a large part of the season with Stuttgart in the 2.Bundesliga. Both enjoyed the experience and the hope is that Van den Berg will come back to Anfield having grown.

Goal are also reporting that there is one Belgian Pro League club, one 2.Bundesliga outfit and one Swiss Super League club keen.

He has reportedly already held talks with all three via video link. But interest has not just come from the continent, with English clubs also in the mix.

Blackburn, who already have Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott in their ranks, are among those to have enquired. Liverpool allowed Under-23 captain Liam Millar to join League One side Charlton earlier this week.

Van Dijk incident reviewed

Pickford Van Dijk TEAMtalk

Van Dijk may not play again until April due to the injury he sustained in the Merseyside derby. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford went unpunished for a clumsy challenge that led to the long-term problem.

Referee Michael Oliver has now admitted that he should have carded the England keeper.

The official told the Mail on Sunday: “We have all, myself included, not thought about the challenge as much as we should have done.”

Klopp has resisted calls to sign a defender to cover for the Dutchman and seems unlikely to make a U-turn.

 

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