Sepp van den Berg will leave Liverpool if he continues to play a fringe role
Sepp van den Berg appears to be contemplating his future at Liverpool and the Dutch defender is reluctant to remain at Anfield as a squad player for the upcoming season. According to Kicker, the 22-year-old is eager to secure a transfer if he isn’t guaranteed more than a backup role under new head coach Arne Slot.
The 22-year-old’s impressive performances on loan in Germany last season have not gone unnoticed, with VfL Wolfsburg among the clubs expressing interest in the talented centre-back. The German side is in need of defensive reinforcements, particularly with Maxence Lacroix potentially departing in the final year of his contract.
Wolfsburg have kept a close eye on Van den Berg for some time and consider him a strong candidate to bolster their defence. The Bundesliga club is reportedly keen on securing the Dutchman’s services on a permanent basis, which could give them an edge over other interested parties, such as Mainz, who are only able to offer another loan deal.
Van den Berg’s preference to stay in the Bundesliga further fuels Wolfsburg’s hopes of landing the 22-year-old. Having made a significant impact during his loan spell, the defender is seen as a valuable asset for any team looking to strengthen their backline. While he offers depth at Liverpool, the chance of him breaking into the first XI at this moment looks remote.
The final decision rests with Liverpool. The Reds must determine whether to allow Van den Berg to leave or to integrate him into Slot’s plans for the season. While the young defender’s potential departure would reduce squad depth, keeping a player who is not satisfied with a peripheral role could impact team morale.
Van den Berg’s desire for regular first-team football is understandable, given his development and ambitions. Liverpool, on the other hand, must weigh the benefits of retaining a promising talent against the player’s need for consistent playing time. Having impressed Slot in pre-season, the Dutchman does have a shot at securing reasonable playing time at Anfield. However, it might not come as a starter as he is likely to be used in rotation.
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Sepp van den Berg has shown great promise and his development during loan spells has been impressive. However, if the player is not content with a squad role, it might be in the club’s best interest to facilitate a move that benefits all parties.
Selling Van den Berg to Wolfsburg, where he could continue his growth and gain regular playing time, could be a sensible option. This would also allow Liverpool to potentially negotiate favourable terms, including a buy-back clause or sell-on fee, ensuring they retain some long-term benefit from his development.
