Liverpool player hits back at suggestions that he’s actively pushing to leave this summer

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Liverpool look set for a busy August after delaying their summer transfer business.

The Reds have so far refrained from either signing players or pushing any through the exit door since Arne Slot’s arrival.

After the first proper pre-season game on Saturday though, the feeling is that Liverpool are now firming up their plans both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Which players will come into the Liverpool squad is obviously the more exciting topic for supporters. However, who initially goes out is likely to have a big bearing on who, if anyone, moves to Anfield.

In that respect, Reds fans will be very interested to hear what one player very much linked with an exit has had to say on Saturday.

Sepp van den Berg sets the record straight

It is a big summer for a number of Liverpool players. With a new head coach onboard, there is a fresh chance to impress.

Some have already taken that opportunity. Trey Nyoni was superb against Real Betis and looks set to be a potential star of the future.

Slot has admitted that Nyoni has impressed him more than any other young player, but that does not mean that others aren’t happily on his radar, too.

One who has been subject to a lot of scrutiny this summer is centre-back Sepp van den Berg. After a good season on-loan at Mainz, Van den Berg told Liverpool that he wanted out.

But with Slot impressed by Van den Berg, it had started to look like the 22-year-old would stick around. Now, though, the latest reports claim that Van den Berg does actively want to leave and is in talks with Hoffenheim about a move.

But when asked about speculation surrounding his future by Sky Sports after playing 64 minutes of Saturday’s game, the Dutchman said that he’s happy for the moment.

READ MORE: ‘Fantastic’ Liverpool youngster looks set to stay at Anfield for next season

“I’m still a Liverpool player,” Van den Berg replied. “I enjoy it here, really. It’s been a very nice pre-season.

“Of course a new coach, so a new era starts, fresh training, a new style of play, I really like it,” he added.

“For me it’s just about game time and at the moment I’m getting it here, so, I’m happy at the moment but it’s still early, you never know what can happen.

“For me the most important things is playing and if I can do it here then there’s no better place. It’s one of the biggest if not the biggest club in the world so if it’s here then it’s my dream. But for me the most important thing is playing. So, we’ll see what happens.”

How was Van den Berg vs Betis?

With a bigger spotlight than ever on him, Van den Berg was given the chance to show why Liverpool value him at £20m with a start against Betis.

In fairness to the former PEC Zwolle man, he did relatively well. His passing was a slight issue early on with one or two loose balls into midfield putting Liverpool in some danger.

But generally he won his headers, was strong in the challenge and secure in possession.

Jarell Quansah was probably the more impressive of the two on the day, but they complemented each other quite well.

With Ibrahima Konate returning to the Liverpool camp in the coming days, we’ll see whether Sepp continues to keep his place. As he says, a bit of a long way to go, but he’s happy for now at least.