Liverpool could include 6ft 4in talent in first-team plans amid solid progress

Add as preferred source on Google

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been fine-tuning preparations ahead of the Premier League season getting under way.

The Reds have won two of their pre-season friendlies so far and have just two more games before their campaign starts on 17 August.

Liverpool aren’t up and running in the transfer window just yet, but there’s a good chance they could push for signings after Slot has assessed his team fully.

The Reds will need to look at potential incomings, outgoings, and promotions to the first team over the coming weeks.

Now, according to Sky Sports, a young Liverpool fringe player could be in line to feature for Slot’s senior team this season, in wake of his impressive progress.

READ MORE: Liverpool open to selling £45m-rated player Tottenham asked about in January

Liverpool could promote Sepp ven den Berg to first team

The player in question is Sepp van den Berg, who has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years.

Van den Berg joined Liverpool back in 2019 from Dutch side FC Zwolle, but has only made four senior Reds appearances in that time.

The 22-year-old Dutchman has taken in three loan spells while on Liverpool’s books, playing for Preston North End, Schalke and Mainz.

Van den Berg did so well at the latter club last season that they are desperate to sign the Reds ace permanently.

However, Mainz boss Christian Heidel admitted that his club cannot afford to pay £20million for the 6ft 4in defender.

Sky Sports have reiterated that Liverpool have been thoroughly impressed with Sepp van den Berg’s development.

Indeed, they will only let him leave the club if their valuation of around £20million is met, added the report.

PSV Eindhoven reportedly offered around £10million last week, but the Reds rejected the bid.

Meanwhile, some Bundesliga clubs are also said to be keen on Van den Berg, but no formal offers have been made.

If Liverpool’s valuation isn’t met, then Van den Berg will be part of Slot’s first-team squad, added the report.

He could potentially become Liverpool’s club’s fourth-choice centre-back if Joe Gomez leaves.

Van den Berg has exciting future ahead of him

Van den Berg deserves credit not only for how well he has done out on loan, but also how well he is doing in pre-season.

It has previously been reported that Van den Berg has shocked Slot and his coaching staff with his maturity and technical ability.

Likewise, Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Van den Berg has been really impressive in Liverpool’s training sessions under Slot.

There’s a good chance Gomez leaves Liverpool this summer, as he will be eager to be a regular starter, which is something that doesn’t seem promised to him at Anfield.

In that case, Van den Berg could step in for him – but at the same time, it remains to be seen whether he’d want to become a back-up player after getting a taste of regular football.