Latest Liverpool news: Klopp expects Van den Berg to play for first-team soon

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp claimed Sepp van den Berg isn’t ready for first-team action yet but should play for the Reds soon.

The Dutch youngster joined from PEC Zwolle but is yet to receive international clearance, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The 17-year-old will not feature in the friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Notre Dame but could play against Sevilla on Sunday.

Klopp spoke about Van den Berg still growing, and knew that the Dutchman is a quality defender (h/t Liverpool Echo):

“He’s a nice fella and a good footballer, but we knew that before, which is why we signed him.

“But I’d only seen videos of him so it surprised me when he stood in front of me and was taller than me – that doesn’t happen too often in my life.

“Especially when they are 17 years old and still growing!”

The German added that Van den Berg isn’t a long-term project and the Reds don’t have to wait to see him in action:

“It’s a not a long-term project where the boy has to think he has to wait five years to play for us, but it’s not for this moment.”

Klopp doesn’t expect centre-back problems this season

Klopp also spoke about our defensive struggles last season when we played Fabinho in the heart of the defence, but did not expect a similar situation:

“Last year, there was a time when we had just one left plus Fabinho , that should not happen again. If we does, we find the solutions.”

Klopp added that Van den Berg is an incredible talent and just needs to deal with a proper physical pre-season.

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It will be interesting to see when Van den Berg plays for the first-team in the pre-season. We can use some cover for our centre-backs, and the 17-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.