£30m defender who dreams of rejoining Liverpool is now rivalling Virgil van Dijk in one key area

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, but have seen Virgil van Dijk make a brilliant start to the season.

Defensive questions linger over Liverpool despite a clean sheet against Arsenal last weekend.

Liverpool looked susceptible against Bournemouth and Newcastle United, and Arne Slot would be forgiven for having questions about his back line.

Ibrahima Konate has been shaky to start the season, summer signing Milos Kerkez is still settling in, and Jeremie Frimpong is out injured.

Liverpool wanted to sign Marc Guehi on deadline day, only for Crystal Palace to block the move.

The one constant is Virgil van Dijk, who has been colossal through Liverpool’s first three games at the age of 34.

• READ MORE: Bayern Munich devise plan to prevent Michael Olise from joining Liverpool anytime soon

Sepp van den Berg rivalling Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk is still turning in exceptional displays for Liverpool and virtually manhandled Viktor Gyokeres in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.

The veteran defender remains the gold standard for centre-backs, and he sits top of the Premier League charts in terms of clearances.

Squawka note that Van Dijk has recorded 34 clearances in just three games, four clear of second-placed Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth.

In third place is Brentford’s Sepp van den Berg – a player Liverpool sold last summer.

After strong loan spells with Preston North End and Mainz, Liverpool allowed Van den Berg to join Brentford in a deal worth up to £30million.

Van den Berg is understood to have impressed Slot last summer, but felt that he needed to go and play regular first-team football.

Now a key part of Brentford’s back line, Van den Berg has racked up 29 clearances and may challenge Van Dijk for top spot over the course of the season.

Squawka also note that Van den Berg has recorded 12 successful aerial duels, just five behind joint-leader Van Dijk.

Brentford have been under pressure defensively in the first three games, but Van den Berg is really stepping up to help the Bees at the back.

Sepp van den Berg dreams of Liverpool return

Liverpool signed Van den Berg from PEC Zwolle in 2019, but he was only able to make four first-team appearances.

An 18-month spell with Preston North End was the making of Van den Berg, and he went on to make Liverpool a tidy profit.

Van den Berg has even admitted his interest in rejoining Liverpool in the future, believing that ‘two or three’ successful years at Brentford would see him return to Anfield.

“I would be lying if I said that I did not dream of returning to Liverpool one day. That is still on my mind. But for now, it was better for my career to take a different path and play a lot,” said Van den Berg.

“At Liverpool, I would have been more of a player who had to fill in gaps. I would rather be that starter. And who knows, if I do well here for two or three years, I will return to Liverpool and be a starter there too,” he added.

Liverpool will certainly be in the market for a centre-back or two in 2026, especially with questions over Ibrahima Konate’s future.

The Reds missed out on Guehi on transfer deadline day as Crystal Palace decided to stand firm and keep hold of the England star.

Liverpool could return for Guehi in 2026, but Van den Berg could still be in their thoughts if he continues to impress for Brentford.