Liverpool loanee open to Reds exit this summer

Liverpool loanee Sepp van den Berg has admitted that he could leave the Reds this summer as his Anfield future looks increasingly uncertain.

The centre-back signed for Liverpool when he was just 17-years-old all the way back in 2019, initially joining from Dutch club PEC Zwolle for £1.3m.

However, the youngster has been unable to muscle his way into Jurgen Klopp's plans during his time on Merseyside, settling instead for a series of loan moves.

Van den Berg joined Preston North End in the Championship at the beginning of 2021, moving on to Schalke in Germany for the 2022/23 campaign.

Having struggled with injuries during both loan stints, the Dutchman was offered to Bundesliga outfit Mainz for the current season, where he has been able to put together a string of starts.

The 22-year-old has impressed at times for the struggling German side, but he still doesn't seem to have a future at Anfield.

Speaking about his prospects with ESPN, Van den Berg admitted he had conversations with Ajax last summer - now the club of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

The centre-back also confessed that he could leave Liverpool permanently in the near future, potentially seeking a move that doesn't see him return to the Netherlands.

"I called [former Ajax manager] Maurice Steijn in the summer," said the defender. "It was not very concrete, but there was interest.

"Ajax remains a very big club, but I have my sights set more on abroad. Certainly England or Germany. If I now go looking outside, I might also want to go to Italy or Spain.

"I have been active abroad from an early age and, never say never, but I am focusing on abroad this summer."

According to reports, Mainz do have the option to buy Van den Berg this summer, although the figure involved in such a deal is unknown.

It would certainly be a surprise if Van den Berg was to emerge as a viable centre-back option for Liverpool, despite the fact that the Reds are seemingly in the market for a defender.

The Netherlands U19 international has only clocked up four appearances for the Reds and is unlikely to convince Klopp of his quality as things stand.