Loan Watch - 2023/24

[Megadrive Man]

Liverpool centre-back establishing himself in 'top five defenders in Europe' while on loan - Liverpool Echo

 

On-loan Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg is charting among some of the best central defenders in the top five leagues in Europe, according to a report.

Figures collated by Comparisonator show that the 22-year-old is only bettered by William Saliba (Arsenal), Nico Schotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich) and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, this season. The comparison website for player performance used its AI index to find the best centre-backs via their averages.

 

Van den Berg has made just four appearances for the Reds as he has spent his formative years away from Anfield. The Dutchman has enjoyed loan spells in the English Championship with Preston North End, as well as two stints in Germany with Schalke 04 and now with FSV Mainz.

 

The 22-year-old has been one of the standout performers, shining for Mainz during a difficult season for one of Jurgen Klopp's former clubs. He has won 59.1% of his tackles this season in 27 appearances,, scoring twice.

 

Mainz boss Bo Henriksen has already hailed the defender this season and has set out his stall that Van den Berg will improve. He said: “He is a leader and the boss in the middle. He’s getting better and better."

Van den Berg's time in the Bundesliga has been a learning curve after suffering a long-term injury which restricted him to just nine games for Schalke. His time with Mainz has been another challenging experience but one that has seemingly catapulted him among some of the leading centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues, in his position.

 

Upon his return to Merseyside in the summer, he will have two years remaining on his contract at Anfield. With Joel Matip's long-term knee injury and recurring problems for Ibrahima Konate, there has been chances to deputise alongside Van Dijk in the Liverpool back four, which has seen Jarell Quansah come to the fore.

[Megadrive Man]

I wonder if we'll give Van den Berg a chance here next season? He will count as a home grown player too.

 

If not then it feels like we should be able to sell him for a decent amount of money.  

[AngryOfTuebrook]

You love to see it.