Arne Slot has his eye on ‘excellent’ Liverpool youngster, he’ll get a chance in pre-season

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Pre-season 2024 will be unlike any at Liverpool over the past nine years.

For the first time in almost a decade, members of the Liverpool squad will be anxiously seeking the approval of a new manager.

It’s a big deal for quite a few really, as those who had little hope of first-team involvement under Jurgen Klopp are given a reprieve.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that Arne Slot will see things any different to Klopp. But it does at least open the door for the Dutchman to build some new favourites.

Obviously, pre-season is generally a time for a manager to get a look at some of the best young talent coming through. And although Klopp did give plenty in the academy a breakthrough, there is reportedly one who could benefit from Slot coming in.

Sepp van den Berg set to get pre-season chance

Slot is reportedly a manager who is well used to giving young players a chance in the first-team.

The 45-year-old will look to carry on the good job done by Klopp in that sense. There’s certainly plenty for Slot to work with.

One of those who is perhaps more deserving of a chance than most is defender Sepp van den Berg. Having been at Anfield since 2019, Van den Berg excelled with Mainz last season.

There had been claims that the German side could sign the 22-year-old for a very small fee this summer, putting paid to any hope of a future at Liverpool. But according to The Athletic, that is not the case.

They claim that Liverpool are ‘adamant’ that any club wanting to buy Van den Berg will have to meet their £20m valuation of him.

After a good season, there’s said to be plenty of interest. All of Brentford, Southampton and Wolfsburg – as well as Mainz – are named as potential suitors for the Dutchman.

However, Liverpool will reportedly run the rule over Van den Berg in pre-season first. It’s claimed that Slot is ‘fully aware’ of the youngster’s ability and no decision on a sale will be taken until the manager has had a good look at him.

Liverpool make correct call over Sepp van den Berg

This is really good news. Having impressed so much in the Bundesliga, Liverpool would be foolish not to take a proper look at Van den Berg this summer.

As they’re reportedly in the market for a new centre-back, it’s feasible that the Netherlands U21 international could be the man they’re looking for.

It’s worth noting he also drew applause during an elongated loan spell at Preston in 2021, in which he was deemed to be ‘excellent’ [Lancashire Live].

Just as Jarell Quansah did last summer, that could save Liverpool a bomb in the transfer market and allow them to focus on other areas.

Of course, there is a chance that Van den Berg is not quite up to the standard needed to make it at Anfield.

If that turns out to be the case though, then something along the lines of £20m would sound appropriate. Van den Berg has been one of the best young defenders in Europe this season and warrants that kind of price-tag. Let’s see what he can do!