Christian Heidel confirms that Sepp van den Berg wants to swap Liverpool for Mainz
Liverpool star Sepp van den Berg faces a crucial summer following a sensational 2023/24 season on loan at Mainz. The Dutchman is coming into his own as a top-tier centre-back and is ready to take the next step in his development.
At 22, he is young enough to be considered a long-term solution to the position but is also now experienced enough to be considered a senior. However, given the riches that Liverpool have in the role, a regular starting spot at Anfield is far from given.
Sepp impressed Arne Slot in training and also put in an eye-catching performance against Arsenal in pre-season. However, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez all ahead of him in the pecking order, the Dutchman will have to battle Jarell Quansah for that fourth spot.
The Liverpool star has been quite vocal about what he is seeking to achieve in 2024–25. With PSV Eindhoven and several Bundesliga sides keen, there is enough interest in the player heading into the final few weeks of the summer transfer window.
As revealed by Florian Plettenberg via X, Mainz are still keen on Sepp and are eyeing a second successive loan deal. Given that he was a mainstay for the Germans and aided their fight against relegation, that does not come as a surprise.
The Germans are unwilling to meet Liverpool’s asking price, and Mainz boss Christian Heidel has confirmed that they will not pay anything over £20m for the player’s services. Given that the Reds are unwilling to lower their asking price, a loan deal appears to be the best option for Mainz.
Heidel confirmed that the player too will welcome a return to the MEWA Arena should a move materialise. Whether Liverpool will be on the same boat remains to be seen.
“We would like him to stay and Sepp would also really like to do it.”
Despite already having four centre-backs, the Reds have decisions to make. Virgil van Dijk is not getting any younger, while Konate has his injury issues. Gomez is often used as a versatile option who can play anywhere along the backline while Quansah is still developing despite an excellent breakout campaign.
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Sepp certainly has the minerals to impress and has shown us that in pre-season. Time will tell whether he will be willing to take a step back so that he can move ahead by two at Anfield.
