Who is Sepp van den Berg? Liverpool's potential successor to Virgil van Dijk

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 4 Oct 2021 12:02 BST
• 11 min read

Sepp van den Berg signed for Liverpool in 2019 with great endorsement from Jurgen Klopp and with a big future to be had on Merseyside.

Arriving from Pec Zwolle where he had broken into the first-team as a 16-year-old, van den Berg was identified by the Reds and signed as a project for the future.

He made four appearances in the domestic cups for the Reds in his first season and has remained a permanent fixture in the Netherlands’ Under 21s side.

One of a number of talented young centre-backs coming through at Liverpool, van den Berg has a big future at Anfield and big shoes to fill if he is to be the successor to countryman Virgil van Dijk.

What position does Sepp van den Berg play in?

Van den Berg is a centre-half, best used as a ball-playing defender to utilise his strengths, and he has also demonstrated an ability to play on the right-hand side as a wing-back.

How good is Sepp van den Berg?

Klopp labelled van den Berg a “big talent” when he joined Liverpool, but admitted at the time that the player would have to bide his time for first-team football.

After making those initial appearances in both the League Cup and the FA Cup, van den Berg exhibited all the qualities of a modern-day centre back.

The Dutchman is very comfortable with the ball at his feet, both in striding out of defence and picking out passes to get the team moving forward.

He is a monster in the air and very mobile for such a tall player, with recovery speed coupled with his ability to read the play making him very difficult to beat for opposition attackers.

Loan spells at Preston North End aided in van den Berg being able to show those qualities on a more regular basis, impressing the Lilywhites’ supporters with his performances and showing his ability to play at right wing-back.

Two early goals in the 2021/22 season also proved his ability going forward down that right flank, with a perhaps unlikely string to add to his bow.

What clubs are interested in Sepp van den Berg?

Both van den Berg and Liverpool see the player’s permanent future lying at Anfield, but loan moves at Preston have proven to be very useful in his development.

The Dutchman was widely scouted in the summer of 2021 with plenty of interest in the Championship, including from Swansea, Barnsley and Bournemouth.

It was also rumoured that there were clubs abroad that were keen on bringing van den Berg in temporarily, with interest from 2. Bundesliga and first divisions in Belgium and Switzerland.

At the time that Liverpool secured his signature, it was reported that Bayern Munich were also keeping a close eye on van de Berg.

When does Sepp van den Berg’s contract expire?

Van den Berg signed a long-term contract when he joined the Reds, with his current deal running all the way until June 30, 2024.

Being a primarily youth player at the Reds between loan spells, his salary is estimated at around £7,500 per week.

How old is Sepp van den Berg?

Van den Berg was born on December 20, 2001, meaning he is still just 19 years old.

What is Sepp van den Berg’s height?

Van den Berg is quite tall, measuring at 189cm or 6ft 2in.

What is Sepp van den Berg’s weight?

Van den Berg is believed to weigh around 80kg.

What football boots does Sepp van den Berg wear?

Further fitting in with the van Dijk narrative, van den Berg wears the same cleats as his countryman, adorning the Nike Tiempo Legend football boots on matchdays.

What is Sepp van den Berg’s Instagram?

Van den Berg has 229k followers on Instagram as of October 2021.

Who is Sepp van den Berg’s girlfriend?

Van den Berg is dating Bente Schuurmans, a Dutch hockey player. They have been together for over three years.