Highly-rated Liverpool defender says he could leave Anfield in the summer

Sepp van den Berg has come to terms with the fact he may have to give up on his aspirations of breaking into the Liverpool first team.

Van den Berg signed from Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle back in 2019 at the age of just 17, with many believing Liverpool had got their hands on one of the best young defenders in Europe.

However, after making a handful of appearances in the Carabao Cup in his debut season, he failed to set the world alight and thus fell down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp.

Looking to get minutes under his belt, Van den Berg has spent numerous spells away on loan, first at Championship side Preston North Endo before heading to once-titans of German football Schalke 04.

This season, he's enjoyed a spell back in the Bundesliga with Mainz, becoming a regular for the outfit in their battle for survival.

The Dutchman has left quite an impression, showing off his skills in the air by winning the second-most aerial duels in the league.

Now 22, he's hopeful that Liverpool will have a space for him upon his return to Merseyside in the summer - but is also realistic about his chances amid increased competition.

"If I go back to Liverpool, they might want me to stay. If I see that I won't get much game time, then I might choose to leave. It's really important to me that I play," Van den Berg told Voetbal Nieuws.

"In previous years, I didn't feel like I would be starting next to Virgil. I don't know yet what my chances will be like next summer.

"I think I'm doing well. I can handle playing at Liverpool. I can compete. But being a starter is different. Virgil and Konate are not easy to beat. I know it will be hard."

With the likes of Jarell Quansah also rising to prominence this season, it appears unlikely that Van den Berg will be the top-choice defender he desires to be at Anfield.

If he does move away, expect a return to Germany or perhaps his native Netherlands as he looks to cement his place in a top-division side for more than just a season.