Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg demands exit amidst frustration due to lack of gametime at Anfield. The 22-year old wants to leave the Reds after a successful loan spell with Mainz 05.
Van den Berg made 35 appearances for Mainz 05 in all competitions this season. Additionally, the Dutchman started 31 of the previous 33 games of the campaign.
Van den Berg has a pass accuracy of 87.55% putting him in the pole position for team-internal statistics for this category at Mainz 05. His tackle success rate amounts to 66.03%. The Dutchman secured 2nd place in the Bundesliga in this category. Moreover, Van den Berg is known to be assertive on the pitch. The 22-year old has already won 348 tackling duels and in doing so has fought his way to the fifth rank in the league.
Van den Berg played on loan for 3 teams while being a Red
Sepp van den Berg emerged as a young prodigy progressing through youth academy at PEC Zwolle. The 22-year old made his senior debut with PEC Zwolle in 2018.
Liverpool bought Van den Berg for £1.3 million in 2019 with add-ons up to £4.4 million. He made his competitive debut for the Reds in the EFL Cup. The Dutchman went on to make merely 4 appearances with the Reds.
Followingly, Preston North End signed the 22-year old on a short-term loan deal in February 2021. However, Van den Berg chose to extend his loan by an additional year making it an 18 months loan. The Dutchman made 66 appearances for Preston North end over the course of the duration.
Upon his return, Schalke 04 made a season long loan deal with Liverpool for the defender. However, Van den Berg managed to make only 9 appearances in the entire campaign for Schalke 04 due to a serious sustaining ankle injury. Moreover, Schalke 04 were relegated from the Bundesliga in 2023.
Additionally, Van den Berg joined Mainz 05 for another season long loan spell in 2023. Van den Berg finally found his feet at Mainz 05 this season. He made 35 appearances in all competitions and looked to be in good touch over the entire campaign. Moreover, Van den Berg is yet to win a cap for the Netherlands senior team. The 22-year old has featured in the U19 and U21 squad for the Oranje since 2018.
Liverpool set £20 million asking price for 22-year old defender!
The Reds are open to selling Van den Berg and are looking to make a profit after the Dutchman’s impressive stint at Mainz 05. However, Van den Berg has other opinions about Liverpool’s £20 million asking fee. The defender expressed his discontentment over the valuation by stating:
‘You have not radiated confidence in me all this time, but you do want to hinder my future. I want to continue playing every week and further develop myself’.
Arne Slot handed shock transfer demand from the Dutchman
The 22-year old believes that Liverpool have not stood out on their made promises. While understanding, the Reds are somewhat shocked that Van den Berg doesn’t want to take a chance under fellow Dutchman Arne Slot. A reporter added that the forgotten Liverpool star now wants to pave his own way. The reporter adds:
“Arne Slot wants to see him at work in the preparation, just like his predecessor Klopp. But Van den Berg wants to choose his own path and make a transfer.”
Van den Berg’s decision is understandable considering he only made 4 appearances for the Reds. Many German, Dutch and English clubs are lining up for securing the defender’s signature. Especially, after his impressive stint at Mainz 05.
Moreover, many believe that Liverpool’s valuation of Sepp van den Berg is quite fair. More updates to follow as Van den Berg’s quest for a new club continues.
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