Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Forgotten Liverpool defender slams Reds for 'hindering' his future

sportsmole.co.uk, 1 June 2024, 13:19
A forgotten Liverpool defender has confirmed his desire to leave the Reds permanently this summer and has blasted the club for 'hindering' his future career.

Twenty-two-year-old Sepp van den Berg has been on the books at Anfield for five years since joining from PEC Zwolle as a teenager in 2019, but he has only made four appearances for the senior side.

All of those matches came in cup competitions during the 2019-20 campaign, and he never made a Premier League appearance under Jurgen Klopp, only making the bench four times in 2022.

Van den Berg has just completed his third loan spell away from Liverpool, who shipped him out to Preston North End and FC Schalke 04 before offloading him to Mainz 05, where he became a Bundesliga regular.

After scoring three goals in 35 games for Mainz, helping Die Nullfunfer stave off relegation to the second tier, Van den Berg is set to return to Anfield, where his contract runs for another two seasons.

Van den Berg slams Liverpool and confirms desire to leave

Despite claims that Mainz could sign Van den Berg permanently for around £5m, Liverpool supposedly want as much as £20m for the 22-year-old, also on the radar of Brentford and Southampton ahead of the summer window.

The club's stance has not gone down well at all with the defender, who spoke to De Telegraaf about his situation and hit out at Liverpool for ostensibly pricing him out of a move elsewhere.

"I knew that I couldn't get from PEC Zwolle [straight] to Liverpool's first team, I could have been at Liverpool for one or two more years, but I wanted to play with all my might," Van den Berg said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

"I demanded to be [loaned] out. Every time, because I felt that I was getting better and better. I also made great strides physically. Just the whole [first] season. On the one hand, that was great.

"Yes, how does that work, you're 17, 18 years old, you're central to the defence in training against the starting XI, you have to build up and then Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah come running towards you. It was tough, but I enjoyed it. But in all honesty, I wasn't looked after anymore.

"I also felt 'ready' [in 2021]. I had a good conversation with the management. He said he had received good reports. I understood that I wasn't going to play Van Dijk, Matip or Konate out [the team]. But I thought I could be right behind it. When I didn't get a chance again, I said: 'Figure it out, I want to leave.'

"You (Liverpool) didn't exude confidence in me all this time, but you do want to hinder my future. I want to keep playing every week and develop myself further. In Germany, I enjoy Dortmund away with 70,000 people, Bayern Munich away against Harry Kane, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Leverkusen, against clubs like that I am challenged every week."

Could Van den Berg reignite his Liverpool career?

One of Arne Slot's first tasks as Liverpool manager will be to plug some defensive gaps, as Joel Matip will officially become a free agent later this month, while Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have no futures at the club either.

Van den Berg's exceptional work at Mainz and his Dutch connection with Slot may have raised the possibility of the 22-year-old reigniting his Anfield career, thus allowing Liverpool to keep their transfer funds spare for midfield or attacking additions.

However, there is surely no coming back from his explosive interview, and a permanent switch either back to Germany or to his native Netherlands are the two most likely outcomes to the transfer saga.

1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Barcelona transfer news: Attacker 'could leave for £85.2m this summer'
Barcelona could reportedly sell Brazilian attacker Raphinha for €100m (£85.2m) during this summer's transfer window, with a powerful Saudi Pro League outfit said to be determined to sign him.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Romania Euro 2024 squad: Who makes the cut? Which stars have missed out?
Romania have announced their provisional 28-man squad ahead of this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Romania Euro 2024 squad: Who makes the cut? Which stars have missed out?
Romania have announced their provisional 28-man squad ahead of this summer's Euro 2024 in Germany.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Gibraltarvs.Scotland
Bound for this summer's Euro 2024 finals, Scotland seek an end to their long winless streak on Monday evening, when they meet international minnows Gibraltar at Estadio Algarve.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Spain Euro 2024 squad: Who makes the cut? Which stars have missed out?
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has named Barcelona's Fermin Lopez and Real Betis' Ayoze Perez in his preliminary squad for this summer's European Championship.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester United 'eyeing summer move for Premier League left-back'
Manchester United are reportedly considering a summer move for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Tottenham Hotspur expiring contracts: Who is free to leave this summer and next?
After a record-breaking start to the 2023-24 season under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur's brief Premier League title bid ended in failure, as did their ambitions to return to the Champions League.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool expiring contracts: Who is free to leave this summer and next?
While Jurgen Klopp lapped up most of the fanfare as he took his Liverpool leave, some attention turned to the Reds players who will not be continuing their careers under Arne Slot.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Croatiavs.N. Macedonia
Beginning their build-up to Euro 2024, Croatia welcome North Macedonia to Rijeka for an international friendly on Monday evening.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Arsenal expiring contracts: Who is free to leave this summer and next?
Under the watchful eyes of head coach Mikel Arteta and esteemed sporting director Edu, Arsenal have made a habit of tying their integral performers down to new long-term contracts amid their rise to Premier League title challengers.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Everton
Everton have released a statement confirming that 777 Partners' proposed takeover has fallen through having missed the latest deadline to buy the Premier League club.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Albaniavs.Liechtenstein
Before trying to cause a seismic shock in the Euro 2024 Group of Death, Albania seek a stress-free friendly win over minnows Liechtenstein on Monday night in Hungary.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Englandvs.Bosnia H'vina
England manager Gareth Southgate should not risk captain Harry Kane for the Three Lions' Euro 2024 warm-up friendly with Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James' Park on Monday evening.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Englandvs.Bosnia H'vina
In their first of two pre-Euro 2024 warm-up friendlies, England welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to Newcastle United's St James' Park base on Monday evening.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Derryvs.Waterford
Fourth will travel to second in the League of Ireland Premier Division on Monday evening, with the visitors Waterford United bidding to continue their strong run of form against the hosts Derry City.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Chelsea expiring contracts: Who is free to leave this summer and next?
Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have made a habit of handing long-term contracts to as many players as possible since their arrival in 2022.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester United 'alerted to cut-price deal for Raphael Varane replacement'
Manchester United have reportedly learned that a modest fee of £35m could be enough to capture one of their prime defensive targets for the summer transfer window.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Transfer rumours: Jobe Bellingham to Crystal Palace, Nayef Aguerd to Lyon, Archie Brown to Aston Villa
Crystal Palace are reportedly in discussions with Sunderland over a deal for Jobe Bellingham.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester United 'make shock approach for ex-Barcelona manager'
Manchester United have apparently made a shock approach to an ex-Barcelona manager amid perennial uncertainty over Erik ten Hag's future.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'rejected by £51.2m midfielder'
Arsenal have reportedly suffered an early blow in their pursuit of a defensive midfielder, as one of Mikel Arteta's top targets has ruled out a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Saturday's Transfer Talk Update: Victor Osimhen, Nicolas Jackson, Romelu Lukaku
The season is over and while the transfer window doesn't technically open until June 14, clubs across the UK and Europe are free to get deals in place ahead of next season.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Saturday's Major League Soccer predictions including Inter Miami vs. St Louis City
DC United vs. Toronto (Sunday, 12.30am) Seeking their first-ever victory at Audi Field, Toronto will end their two-game MLS road trip with a visit to the US capital to face DC United on Saturday. The Black and Red failed to recover from an early deficit against CF Montreal on Wednesday, losing 4-2, while Toronto managed to grind out a 0-0 draw with the Philadelphia Union.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Saturday's Brasileiro predictions including Corinthians vs. Botafogo
Gremio vs. Bragantino (Saturday, 8.00pm) Bragantino travel to Porto Alegre to face Gremio at the Estadio Couto Pereira for a Brasileiro battle on Saturday. While the hosts are bidding to win two games in the space of just four days, the visitors are looking to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Saturday's Argentine Primera Division predictions including Racing vs. Deportivo Riestra
Racing vs. Deportivo Riestra (Saturday, 10.00pm) Racing Club are undoubted favourites to dispatch Deportivo Riestra in Saturday's Argentine Primera Division clash at Estadio Presidente Peron. The round four meeting sees the in-form early-season high-flyers host a side beaten in two of three league outings at the start of the season.
1 June 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Rosariovs.Lanus
Rosario Central will look to bounce back from their continental heartbreak in midweek when they welcome Lanus to Estadio Gigante de Arroyito on Sunday.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
River Platevs.Tigre
River Plate set out in search of a fifth consecutive home victory when they welcome Tigre to the Estadio Mas Monumental in round four of the Argentine Primera Division on Sunday.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
"No doubt" - Carlo Ancelotti responds to Rodrygo Manchester City, Liverpool links
Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Rodrygo remains "very important" to Real Madrid amid interest from Manchester City and Liverpool.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Real Madrid 'set date for Kylian Mbappe transfer announcement'
Real Madrid will reportedly unveil Kylian Mbappe as their first summer signing on Monday.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Real Madrid 'set date for Kylian Mbappe transfer announcement'
Real Madrid will reportedly unveil Kylian Mbappe as their first summer signing on Monday.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Genkvs.GentGent
KRC Genk are set to host KAA Gent at the Cegeka Arena in Belgium's Pro League on Sunday, and the winner will qualify for the Europa Conference League.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
C. Cordobavs.Talleres
Round four of the 2024 Argentine Primera Division season sees Central Cordoba and Talleres go head to head at Santiago del Estero on Sunday.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Chelsea 'unlikely to pursue £113m-rated forward amid Paris Saint-Germain competition'
Chelsea are reportedly prepared to cool their interest in Napoli forward Victor Osimhen.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Platensevs.Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors return to action in the Argentine Primera Division when they journey to the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente Lopez take on Platense on Sunday.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Serbia U17sSerbia Under-17svs.Portugal U17sPortugal Under-17s
Serbia Under-17s and Portugal Under-17s will go head-to-head in Sunday's European Under-17 Championship semi-final.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool-linked Premier League attacker opens door to summer transfer
Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo has opened the door to a summer departure, amid interest from Liverpool.
31 May 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Institutovs.Gimnasia
Instituto will be hoping to quickly bounce back from their first defeat in the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division campaign when they host Gimnasia at the Estadio Presidente Peron.
Show more

Top News

18 March 2025 talksport.com Leicester player Hamza Choudhury was mobbed by fans after arriving for his first senior international call-up. 18 March 2025 talksport.com A brand-new competition will be taking place this summer, with some of the world's biggest clubs eyeing glory in the USA. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Ola Aina had a hilarious response to discovering he would be sharing a bed with Alex Iwobi on international duty. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Arsenal have added Carabao Cup winning Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to their list of summer transfer targets, talkSPORT understands. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Troy Deeney has reiterated his belief that Mohamed Salah is 'not world class' after his Wembley woes. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Papiss Cisse has been convinced to come out of retirement at the age of 39 by a former Newcastle teammate. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of Group C in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers will clash on Thursday as leaders Japan face Bahrain. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Danny Drinkwater was once given just an hour to leave Chelsea and led to a bust-up with the manager. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have no hope of clawing back their 12-point Premier League deficit to Liverpool despite the Reds' recent problems, Gunners expert Charles Watts believes. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Bayern Munich are reportedly among the clubs who have discovered the asking price of RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are one of three Premier League clubs who could reportedly pip rivals Manchester United and Chelsea to the signing of Sporting Lisbon's in-demand striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brazil and Colombia go head-to-head in the 38th instalment of this international fixture in Brasilia on Thursday night. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk There will be no return to the Brazil fold for Neymar in their clash with Colombia on Thursday night, as he has pulled out of the upcoming squad with injury. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona have all reportedly suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak ahead of the summer transfer window. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel not only raised eyebrows with his selections in his first England squad - but also with his omissions. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Paris Saint-Germain have been given the green light to reschedule a Ligue 1 fixture that could give them the edge against Aston Villa in the Champions League. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Jack Grealish "has to accept responsibility" and may need to "win the trust" of both Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel if he wishes to get his career back on track for club and country. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Italy and Germany will continue their long-standing footballing rivalry when they meet in a two-legged quarter-final in the UEFA Nations League this week, starting with a showdown in Milan on Thursday. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa are reportedly prepared to cash in on midfielder Enzo Barrenechea during the summer transfer window. 18 March 2025 talksport.com There will be no Premier League football this weekend as the top-flight pauses for a scheduled mid-March break. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal intend to begin formal discussions with Bukayo Saka over a new contract ahead of his comeback from a long-term hamstring injury, according to a report. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Abdukodir Khusanov was welcomed home in style as he received a £135,000 Mercedes upon returning to Uzbekistan for international duty. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest are reportedly ready to fend off Liverpool if they express an interest in one of their star players. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Kosovo will host Iceland at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri on Thursday evening in the first of their two-legged matchup in the UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoffs. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Next season The Premier League will be provided match balls by Puma, a decision that is likely to be an unpopular one with Mikel Arteta. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly prepared to let one of their first-team midfielders leave the club in the summer transfer window. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Hong Kong and Macao return to international action for the first time in 2025 on Wednesday, when they meet in a friendly at Mong Kok Stadium. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have condemned the "abhorrent" racist abuse directed at defender Wesley Fofana following Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he would like to return to Tottenham Hotspur at some stage in the future. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Bournemouth are leading the race to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher ahead of their Premier League rivals, talkSPORT understands.