‘Really tough news’ - Schalke chief confirms injury timeline for Liverpool loanee Sepp van den Berg

Sepp van den Berg will not play again for the rest of the year after suffering a ‘serious ligament injury’, Schalke have confirmed.

The Liverpool loanee had enjoyed a promising start to life in Germany after securing a season-long loan late in the summer window. However, the 20-year-old looked to have picked up a serious ankle injury during the weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Augsburg, blocking a powerful shot from Mergim Berisha in the second-half.

Van den Berg received treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and sent to hospital, and now the Bundesliga club have confirmed the defender will be sidelined to the remainder of 2022 with a ‘serious ligament injury’.

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“This is really tough news,” said Schalke sporting director Rouven Schröder “In the past, we have already shown several times that we are able to deal with injury-related absences, however serious they are, as a team – and this time we will manage it as well.

“We have full confidence in the squad. We wish Sepp and Rodri a speedy recovery, and we will be supporting them fully during their recoveries so that they are back on the pitch as soon as possible.”

Van den Berg - who joined Schalke in the summer as he and Liverpool looked to introduce top-flight senior football to his remit - will miss seven Bundesliga matches and a DFB Pokal tie against Hoffenheim before the league breaks for the World Cup. The Dutchman had spent the last season and a half on loan at Championship outfit Preston North End, whom he joined in January 2021.

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