Club hoping to sign ‘excellent’ Liverpool player next season, even if they get relegated

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Schalke are hopeful of securing Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg for a second season on-loan.

The young Dutchman had been in fine form for the Bundesliga side, before injury ruined his season in October. Since then, Schalke have struggled to get going. With just seven games left in the season, they sit second from bottom.

According to Sport Bild, a second relegation in three seasons could have a real impact on the team’s transfer plans. However, even if they do face another campaign in the Bundesliga 2, they reportedly still have a ‘mini-hope’ that van den Berg would stay on.

The 21-year-old is undoubtedly capable of playing at a higher level than the one Schalke are threatened with. But having played just four times this season, his development has stalled a little.

As a result, perhaps Liverpool will feel that one more season out on-loan might benefit van den Berg. Although they’d be playing at a lower level Schalke remains a huge club for a young player to get a grounding in.

van den Berg development hits pause

What a frustrating season this has been for van den Berg. After doing so well for 18 months at Preston North End – then manager Alex Neil had called him ‘excellent’ – he had looked ready for the next step.

A move to Schalke seemed primed to give him that, and having started the Gelsenkirchen side’s first four games of the campaign, he began very well.

But after hitting his stride, ankle ligament damage has now know kept him out for over six months. At a crucial stage of his development, van den Berg has had to hit pause, As much as that is frustrating for Sepp himself, it’s also surely been a massive source of ire for Liverpool, too.

As the Reds prepare for another transfer window, they need to address a slightly flailing central defensive department. There was no doubt some hope around Anfield that van den Berg could still be the man to come in and plug a significant gap.

Maybe the Netherlands U21 international can still be that man. But it surely now won’t be next season. Instead, he’ll need time to build himself back up following a lengthy injury. He’ll have to go out and get game-time once again.

Consequently, a continuation of his loan at Schalke may not be a bad thing. Clearly, that would be much more palatable if the Royal Blues are able to stay up this term. Even if they do go down though, there’s value in keeping van den Berg where he is for now.