Preston North End believe they are in a good position to sign Liverpool's Sepp van den Berg for a third time next season.
The Reds' defender is currently on a season-long loan arrangement at Deepdale, having impressed there in the second half of the 2020-21 campaign. The Dutchman has made 42 appearances for Preston this season and and 58 in total across both spells.
Manager Ryan Lowe, an avid Liverpool supporter, is hoping a deal can be thrashed out to bring van den Berg back to the Championship club for a third time next season. Speaking at a North End fans’ forum event on Monday night, Lowe is quoted as saying: “We’re in talks with Liverpool but it’ll be down to Sepp and what he wants to do. I think he’ll want to find a suitable, permanent home, but I would’ve thought if he was at Liverpool next season and looking to go on loan, we’ll be in a good position.”
The 20-year-old has been a mainstay in the side all season, since Lowe arrived as manager in December and during predecessor Frankie McAvoy's time in the dugout. It is not the first time Lowe has expressed his desire to re-sign the centre-half next term.
Speaking earlier this month he said: "With Sepp, Liverpool were in here the other day for a full day, watching what we do and how we go about it.
"We’re in contact with them but again, it’s down to Sepp and what he wants to do. Ultimately, I would’ve thought that, because of the way they’ve been with us, if they were available again, we’d take them in a heartbeat. So would other clubs probably, but the advantage we would have is them having been here before and how we go about our business. If that becomes available, for them to go on loan, I’d like to think we’d be No.1 priority."
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As for van den Berg himself, he opened up about how he could not say no to the chance to move to Anfield. He arrived on Merseyside back in 2019 for a seven-figure fee after leaving PEC Zwolle. Speaking to a Dutch publication, he insists he wants to become first choice at centre-half one day - and even aspires to be better than compatriot Virgil van Dijk. So far he has been limited to four senior outings in the domestic cup competitions.
“You don’t say no to a club like Liverpool,” said van den Berg. “Everyone has their opinion, but I see it as a fantastic step. And what if I had said no? Who’s to say Liverpool would turn up again two years later for the same money? Or if I get injured or out of shape, then I can already tell you: they will not come. My dream is a starting place at Liverpool and the Netherlands’ senior team. I also hope to become even better than Virgil van Dijk. I know: with that I set the bar high. But I think you should always dream and think big.”
