Sepp van den Berg looks set to leave Liverpool on loan once again this summer but will start pre-season with Jurgen Klopp’s first team ahead of the Reds reporting back to the AXA Training Centre on July 4.
The Dutchman, who joined Liverpool in a £1.3m deal from PEC Zwolle in the summer of 2019, which could rise to £4.4m, made four domestic cup appearances during his first season at Anfield before spending the past 18 months on loan in the Championship with Preston North End. Joining the Lilywhites temporarily as part of the deal which saw Ben Davies move the other way, he made 64 appearances, scoring two goals, as he impressed both at centre-back and right wing-back.
Reds bosses have been impressed by the Dutchman’s progress during his time away on loan, and he will start pre-season with the Liverpool first team as a result, in contrast to last season where he saw his temporary move to Preston extended early in the summer.
READ MORE: Liverpool midfielder left 'confused' by Chelsea interest changed mind after four meetings with chief executive
READ MORE: 'Get on with it' - Sadio Mane sent blunt Liverpool 'respect' message after Bayern Munich transfer
However, the 20-year-old is expected to leave the Reds on loan later this summer, with the ECHO understanding that Liverpool have already fielded enquiries from sides in the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga to sign the defender for the season.
Klopp can currently call upon the services of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as his first-choice centre-backs, with Van den Berg one of a number of back-up options who also boast senior experience alongside Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams, Ben Davies and Billy Koumetio, who joined Austria Vienna on loan last week.
READ NEXT
-
Jurgen Klopp has already strengthened his Liverpool midfield this summer without anyone realising
-
Cristiano Ronaldo decision proves Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp right
-
'Idiots like this' - Borussia Dortmund chief hits back at 'arrogant' Sadio Mane Liverpool claims
-
Luis Suarez offers solution to Mohamed Salah contract impasse as FSG Liverpool problem emerges
-
Reason for Liverpool transfer confidence clear after £134m deals completed
