Liverpool Defender Sepp van den Berg Nearing Permanent Exit

Liverpool’s central defender Sepp van den Berg is on the verge of leaving Anfield for good. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, a deal that matches Liverpool’s valuation of over £20 million is close to being finalised. The 22-year-old, who impressed during pre-season, has attracted attention from several clubs, with Brentford emerging as the frontrunners for his signature.

Van den Berg’s Journey

Van den Berg joined Liverpool in 2019 from PEC Zwolle for £4.4 million but found first-team opportunities hard to come by. Instead, he spent time on loan at Preston North End, Schalke and Mainz. Despite these loans, he managed only four senior appearances under Jurgen Klopp.

This summer, the Dutch youth international caught the eye of Liverpool’s coaching staff during pre-season, prompting the club to reject offers from Mainz and Wolfsburg. However, interest from other clubs only grew stronger.

Brentford’s Long-Standing Interest

Brentford have been closely monitoring van den Berg for some time. Their admiration for the young defender intensified after Liverpool worked with them on the deal for Fabio Carvalho. Brentford now sees van den Berg as a key target, alongside other defenders like Burnley’s Dara O’Shea and Anel Ahmedhodzic from Sheffield United.

Other Interested Clubs

PSV Eindhoven also expressed interest in van den Berg, with head coach Arne Slot keen on giving him a chance to shine. However, the allure of the Premier League and Brentford’s persistence seem to be tipping the scales in favour of a move to West London.

“Liverpool central defender Sepp van den Berg is nearing a permanent departure from Anfield, with a deal that would see their valuation of a fee above £20million met now set to be agreed.” – David Ornstein, The Athletic.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It’s always bittersweet to see a promising talent like Sepp van den Berg depart, especially after showing such promise during pre-season. However, it’s clear that first-team opportunities at Anfield are limited, with established stars and new signings blocking his path to regular football.

Brentford seems like a good fit for van den Berg. They’ve built a reputation for nurturing young talent, and regular Premier League football could accelerate his development. For Liverpool, securing over £20 million for a player who hasn’t broken into the first team is good business, especially in today’s inflated market.

From a fan’s perspective, though, there’s always a “what if?” lingering. Could van den Berg have blossomed into a key player for Liverpool? Perhaps. But with Klopp’s focus on maintaining a squad capable of challenging on all fronts, tough decisions like this are inevitable.

Ultimately, van den Berg’s departure feels like the right move for both parties. Liverpool gains financial flexibility, and the player gets the opportunity to fulfil his potential. Yet, one can’t help but wonder if this is another case of “one that got away”—only time will tell.