‘I really have a chance’ – Liverpool starlet has breakthrough belief after van Dijk advice

Sepp van den Berg reacting to Liverpool conceding a goal

Sepp van den Berg is confident of making it back at Liverpool if he has a positive season with Preston in the Championship.

Van den Berg joined Liverpool in 2019 from PEC Zwolle, but has had to be patient for opportunities. He made four appearances across domestic cup competitions in his debut season and none in his second. In fact, he spent the second half of that campaign on loan with Preston North End.

He returned to the Championship side over the summer for another season-long loan after making 16 appearances last term. So far this season, he has played in seven games and has even scored twice.

Still only 19, he remains a long-term prospect for Liverpool. However, the versatility he is showing at Deepdale – where he has played as a right-back or centre-back – could make him useful further down the line.

Liverpool have the Dutchman under contract until 2024 and he is seemingly optimistic of being a success for them in that time.

Speaking to NOS about his future, van den Berg has revealed that he has had positive feedback throughout his time with Liverpool.

He said: “They were satisfied then. And hopefully even more after this year.

“Actually, the plan was to participate in the preparation with the first of Liverpool this season, but I thought it was best to be rented out for another year.”

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Reflecting on what he has learned with Preston so far, the defender believes he has developed in the second tier.

He added: “I quickly noticed what big steps you can take in six months of the Championship. So I thought: if I play there for another year, I really have a chance at Liverpool.”

Van den Berg reveals van Dijk advice

Of course, van den Berg is not the only Dutch defender on Liverpool’s books. Virgil van Dijk has been a huge success since signing from Southampton in 2018.

He has now returned from his lengthy injury layoff, but while he was rehabilitating, he was able to impart some advice upon his younger compatriot.

Van den Berg revealed: “He asked me how I thought it went at Preston and told me that he thought it was a good choice, because making minutes is so important.

“Who knows, I may be next to him next season. You should always keep dreaming.”

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