Sepp van den Berg has left Liverpool on loan to join German Bundesliga side Schalke until the end of the current season – prompting reaction from Newcastle talent Sven Botman, and Reds skipper Jordan Henderson on Instagram.
Van den Berg, 20, leaves Liverpool for the second time on loan. Having clocked up 66 appearances in all competitions for Preston since joining the club in January 2021, he has returned to Liverpool this summer. But he has now departed.
Indeed, after helping keep 20 clean sheets in those 66 games – and playing in a number of positions – he joins Schalke. It sees the Netherlands Under-21 international play in the top-tier of German football, following Schalke’s promotion.
He took to Instagram to underline his delight at securing a move to the German club. Whether he will start straight away for Schalke remains to be seen, but he has shown at Preston that when given his chance – he will take it.
Van den Berg has left Liverpool: Botman and Henderson give reaction
Liverpool have been lacking at centre-back in the last few weeks, even Nat Phillips starting against Crystal Palace. Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate have been on the sidelines, while there are still doubts regarding Joe Gomez’s fitness.
But even then, van den Berg has only been an unused substitute in Liverpool’s Premier League matches. It is a clear sign that he needs to go out on loan once again to show Jurgen Klopp he can have an impact in the red of Liverpool.
A move to Schalke could be make or break. It is a big step up for van den Berg from Preston. Klopp will be keeping a close eye, given his knowledge of the Bundesliga. Henderson and Botman reacted, wishing him luck on Tuesday.
Newcastle star Botman, a teammate at Under-21 level with the Netherlands, said “good luck” in Dutch.
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