Liverpool loanee open to Reds exit this summer

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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.

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