Liverpool told 22-year-old who ‘fell off the radar’ may still have future at Anfield

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The eyes of every Liverpool supporter are glued to the German Bundesliga just at the moment.

With Xabi Alonso the overwhelming favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Reds manager, fans have been keen to see how he’s getting on at Bayer Leverkusen. Very well indeed is the answer to that, with Alonso’s team five points clear at the top of the table.

But followers of Liverpool actually have another reason to keep an eye on goings on in Germany’s top flight right now. Having sent him out on-loan there last summer, Sepp van den Berg is having a good season with Mainz.

Out on-loan at various clubs since 2021, fans may be forgiven for having forgotten all about Van den Berg. But speaking to This Is Anfield, Bundesliga commentator Dan O’Hagan says the 22-year-old is looking like he could have a future at Liverpool.

“He’s been with two team’s who’ve struggled but Van den Berg’s development has been enormous,” O’Hagan raves. “Aerial duels won, best centre-back in the league, scored a goal against Dortmund in December. In a shaky and muddled season for Mainz he’s been by a long way their best defensive player.

“He’s showing that he can be a defensive leader in a poor team. He’s learning at the school of hard knocks and I think he’s made big strides this season. A player who may have fallen off Liverpool fan’s radar but he may well have a future yet.”

Van den Berg backed for Liverpool role

With a new manager coming in, Van den Berg’s future at Liverpool may just have been changed dramatically.

Klopp obviously rated the Dutchman, he wouldn’t have signed him as an 17-year-old otherwise. But it’s also clear that the German felt he needed more time to develop.

At 22, it’s a crucial time in Van den Berg’s future. It really felt like with Klopp at the helm, the Netherlands U21 international would be moved on this summer.

But now, that has been turned on its head.

Van den Berg should still be seen as an outsider to make it back into the Liverpool squad. After Jarell Quansah’s emergence they’ll still have four great options at centre-back even if Joel Matip leaves.

But for argument’s sake say Alonso does arrives. Having watched him in the Bundesliga for the past year and a bit, perhaps the Spaniard will be keen to keep him at Anfield.

By the sounds of things, Van den Berg’s good form at Mainz means that he deserves a shot in pre-season at the very least. From there, perhaps he’ll cement himself as a proper option in the squad.

If not, then the time looks right to sell the former Zwolle man. With a good season at the top level behind him, Van den Berg could fetch a decent fee.

There’s still a chunk of the season left to play before then, though. If he can continue his good run of form, then Liverpool and their fans can’t ignore him for too much longer.