‘Incredible’ talent was expected to leave Liverpool on loan, Klopp is now delaying deal

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Liverpool could keep Sepp van den Berg as they consider scrapping his loan exit amid defensive injury problems.

It feels familiar doesn’t it? Liverpool famously went through a terrible defensive injury crisis in the 2020-21 season with Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk all suffering issues.

Well, the new Premier League season is just over a week old and Liverpool already have defensive problems once again.

Ibrahima Konate is out having picked up an injury in pre-season and Joel Matip has now suffered an issue in training.

That means Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Phillips will be bumped up the pecking order for the foreseeable future – but it could also impact Sepp van den Berg’s future.

Liverpool could keep Sepp van den Berg

Van den Berg spent a year-and-a-half out on loan at Preston North End and became a fan favourite during his time at Deepdale.

The Dutchman played as a right wing back before starring in a right-sided centre back role in a three-man defence.

Now back with Liverpool, Van den Berg didn’t feature all that much in pre-season and has been expected to head out on loan this summer.

The Daily Mail report that Championship clubs Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Sheffield United and Watford all want to sign Van den Berg.

Blackburn have been leading the race for Van den Berg but the Daily Mail suggest that there could be a U-turn.

It’s stated that Liverpool and Klopp now want to hang onto Van den Berg after all and any loan exit would only materialise at the end of the transfer window.

Injuries to Konate and Matip mean that Van den Berg is now needed as cover at Liverpool at least until those problems clear up.

It seems unlikely that Van den Berg will be able to push for first-team action at Liverpool but another Championship loanee would be a huge surprise.

Van den Berg has already proven himself in the Championship with Preston, being hailed as ‘incredible’ by former North End teammate Greg Cunningham, and now needs another challenge if he is to really kick on.

Sending Van den Berg to Germany or even to another Premier League club makes so much more sense than another Championship loan.

That’s something for Liverpool to consider in the coming weeks, with an imminent move seemingly off the table.