Liverpool’s Sepp van den Berg says he’s put on a considerable amount of muscle mass over the last year. The player grew in the Championship.
Sepp van den Berg is off at Schalke 04 this season – another wonderful step in his progression. The defender has risen from academy football, through the Championship, and into the top flight of Germany across the last couple of years.
It’s benefitting him, too. Van den Berg admitted this week as he talked about his loan to Schalke that spending time with Preston North End boosted him physically.
“At Preston North End, I did get to gain a lot of experience,” said Van den Berg, per Soccer Nieuws. “Just look at my shoulders. I gained ten kilos just in muscle mass.
“But another year in the Championship really wasn’t my preference. I spoke to Burnley, but I still wanted a step higher.
“Schalke 04 already inquired a year and a half ago, then I eventually chose Preston North End.
“I really rate the Bundesliga as a step up, though. Football lives here in all forms. The decision was easy for me, and my first three games here so far proved me right.”
Liverpool’s Sepp van den Berg
It’s such an enormous benefit of moving down into a more physical brand of football – especially for a defender. Van den Berg has always been slight for a defensive player, with a build more suited for midfield or a full-back.
But spending time at Preston allowed him to build the muscle he needs to defend against physical players. It’s a necessity at that level, after all, and the 20-year-old saw that.
Right now, Liverpool will be hoping for a similar effect on Tyler Morton, who’s down with Blackburn Rovers this season. Morton, like Van den Berg, is a smaller player than you’d want for his role – but like the Dutchman, his Championship spell could change that.
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