Sander Berge can make himself Liverpool’s top target in Genk clash

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Premier League leaders Liverpool scouted Sander Berge in 2017 – now he’ll take on Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in the Champions League.

If Liverpool are hoping that Genk will merely hand over three points during Wednesday’s Champions League clash in Belgium, they will be disappointed.

Yes, the Jupiler League champions were hammered 6-2 on matchday one by an Erling Braut Haaland-inspired Red Bull Salzburg but a goalless draw against Italian giants Napoli last time out was a far more accurate reflection of a team who should, in front of their own fans, give Jurgen Klopp’s European Kings a tough time.

And in Sander Berge, Genk have one of the most promising young midfielders anywhere in the competition – though that’s not to say Klopp is not already fully aware of his potential.

According to Estadio Deportivo, The Reds sent scouts to watch Berge in action on a number of occasions in the autumn of 2017 and he has gone from strength to strength since then.

The 21-year-old is the full package; strong, skilful and the kind of technically gifted ball-player who is quickly becoming the poster boy of a Golden Generation of Norwegian footballers. Berge ran the game against Napoli, overshadowing the Spain international Fabian Ruiz while nearly opening the scoring with a thunderbolt strike from long range.

Berge’s continued improvement will not have passed Klopp by and, should he impress against the Premier League leaders this week, don’t be surprised if the Scandinavian finds himself right at the top of Liverpool’s transfer wish-list after the turn of the year.

Young, hungry and combining physical and tactical gifts, Berge would fit Klopp’s system like a glove while potentially giving Liverpool some much-needed class and guile at the heart of a midfield which can still struggle to open up deep-lying defences.

Watch this space. Berge’s presence at the heart of Genk’s engine room provides a rather intriguing subplot to a rather bread-and-butter Champions League clash.