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Sepp van den Berg

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I hope this ends up as being the steal of the century when this lad becomes a legend and lifts trophy after trophy with us
Jack Hobbs, Paletta, Coates, Danny Wilson, Wisdom, Ayala, Coady...
What I'm saying is, the odds are not in his favour.
 
What about Americans who hang out way too much on this dumpster fire of a Liverpool fan forum?

The bench observes that this phenomenon lays bare the essential commonality of both interest and fundamental nature between said Americans and their all too numerous British counterparts.

Judgment for the defence, or defense as the case may be. 😉
 
The bench observes that this phenomenon lays bare the essential commonality of both interest and fundamental nature between said Americans and their all too numerous British counterparts.

Judgment for the defence, or defense as the case may be. 😉
I always enjoy when the bench opines. Knowing the defense, however, His Honor would do well to use smaller words.
 
[article]Johan Inan, who covers PEC for Zwolle-based newspaper De Stentor, has few doubts over Van den Berg's talent but believes a big move to Anfield should be the opportunity for the player to start pushing himself more.

He told the ECHO: “Jaap Stam came in as head coach in December and in January he put Sepp in the reserve team for a week just to trigger him to work harder, be more aggressive and give it his all.

“Stam talked several times with him, worked after training sessions one-on-one with Sepp, but the truth is that the teacher saw his student making just a little improvement.

“So the potential is there, but for Sepp it’s time to combine his talent with mental toughness and passion, just like they're used to at Anfield.

“Jaap wanted to see Sepp being more ruthless and he told him to give it his all in training sessions as well.

“In the end he played a couple of games, but that was more because of several injuries than a reward for the progression he’d made.

“Jaap sees his talent, but has doubts whether Sepp is eager enough to pick things up.”


Van den Berg's exposure to first team football at such a young age – he has already played 20 senior matches – is credited to him displaying a maturity beyond his tender years but Inan reckons that like many youthful prospects he could benefit from more character-building.

He said: “His potential is huge. Sepp only turned 16 in December 2017 but just two months later he made his debut.

“He was the youngest player to reach 10 Eredivisie games and by the age of 17 he was already in the starting XI on a regular basis.

“He lost his place when Jaap Stam arrived but what makes him an exciting prospect as well is that he was promoted to the Netherlands U19s team where he also became one of the youngest players in the line-up.

“What makes him unique is that when you look at him, you wouldn’t believe he’s 17 because he looks so mature already.

“Of course, physically there’s still a lot for him to improve and I’m quite sure he’ll get stronger in England.

“He’s quite fast and quite comfortable with the ball at his feet as well. Mentally he should really improve. That is his weakest part.”

Given his nationality and position it's inevitable that Van den Berg will be measured against the likes of Virgil van Dijk, who he would join at Anfield, and of course the most high-profile of Dutch wonderkids right now, Matthijs de Ligt.

Inan acknowledges direct comparisons to such an illustrious pair do Van Den Berg – who is expected to command a fee of around £2million – a disservice but he believes that the move can prove to be a shrewd piece of business for Liverpool in the long term.

He said: “It’s unfair because they’re players of another level: they’re world class.

“De Ligt has been captaining his team at the age of 18 in the Champions League.

“Sepp was on the bench of the 13th placed club in Holland earlier this year.

“His advantage is that he can still allow himself to adjust and improve in English football over a couple of years.

“His father will help him acclimatise when the deal is done. Sepp is tall, quick and he’s smart.

“If he’s willing to suffer now as well (and I guess he has no choice under Jurgen Klopp) then he could accompany De Ligt into the Dutch squad one day.

“So the fee Liverpool is paying to PEC for Sepp, might seem like a loose change after two or three years. I think it’s a good investment.”

[/article]

That’s worrying if one on one coaching from Star can’t drive you on.
 
He moves a little like Hansen used to, if he turns out half as good as he was then we'll be on to a winner
 
Feels like there are a couple of options for this kid:

  1. Keep him at Melwood and continue his physical and game development but likely zero to limited game time (at 6ft 2 & 17 I imagine they've seen he is still entering peak muscle growth phase?)
  2. Immediately loan him back out somewhere to get more game time?

The videos look good as he looks strong and controlling, but he appears to largely be up against weaker opposition. Will be interesting to see him against someone strong, experienced and wiley.
 
[article]Summer signing Sepp Van Den Berg will meet some of his new Liverpool teammates at the weekend when the first tranche of first-team players return for pre-season training.

The 17-year-old centre-back arrived late last month in a £1.5million deal and is viewed as a player who can be developed into a contender for the main squad fairly quickly after already making 23 senior appearances for Dutch side PEC Zwolle.

It is why he has been included in the preliminary group which will return to Melwood on Saturday to begin preparations for the new campaign.

Manager Jurgen Klopp will initially work with a reduced number of 16 due to the late returns of players on international duty after last month's Champions League final victory, and those still actively involved.

They include Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita in the Africa Cup of Nations, and Alisson Becker and Roberto Firmino in the Copa America.

It means Van Den Berg will be joined in the squad by Ki-Jana Hoever, the 17-year-old who made his first-team debut in the FA Cup third round in January, fellow teenager Anderson Arroyo, who spent last season on loan at Gent, and Harry Wilson, who had a successful loan spell at Derby.

The first-teamers who will be present are Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Adam Lallana, Joel Matip, Fabinho, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne.

There is also a place for 19-year-old Rhian Brewster, whom Klopp is keen to integrate into the first-team set up for the coming season.

Brewster is set for his first full pre-season with the main squad after recovering from ankle ligament damage in January 2018.[/article]
 
It's fucking mind blowing that Fabinho isn't about to play a Copa America final , absolutely imperious form over past 12 months and not far behind if at all behind vvd and Becker in reasons why we were so much better defensively last season, not withstanding his ability to wriggle forwards and play probing balls
 
It's fucking mind blowing that Fabinho isn't about to play a Copa America final , absolutely imperious form over past 12 months and not far behind if at all behind vvd and Becker in reasons why we were so much better defensively last season, not withstanding his ability to wriggle forwards and play probing balls
When you look at who Brazil has ahead of him, you'd understand. I was like you when I heard it. Fernandinho and Casemeiro are better. Luckily this is probably Fernandinho's last championship.
 
When you look at who Brazil has ahead of him, you'd understand. I was like you when I heard it. Fernandinho and Casemeiro are better. Luckily this is probably Fernandinho's last championship.

Casemeiro is certainly not better.nFernandinho is great though. Anyway good, he's had a break
 
I'm not sure either are as good as Fabinho let alone better

Cassemeiro certainly isnt better than Fabs , there's a case for fernandinho being better but then , you'd argue that's simply a system at city suiting him rather than individual ability
 


Very good interview (sorry, audio only). Also I'm always amazed how fluent the kids from Northern Europe are in English. Even Klopp's English was not as good when he arrived.
 
It's fucking mind blowing that Fabinho isn't about to play a Copa America final , absolutely imperious form over past 12 months and not far behind if at all behind vvd and Becker in reasons why we were so much better defensively last season, not withstanding his ability to wriggle forwards and play probing balls

Imperious for 12 months? He didnt really get a settled place in the team until December
 


Very good interview (sorry, audio only). Also I'm always amazed how fluent the kids from Northern Europe are in English. Even Klopp's English was not as good when he arrived.


I believe Dutch kids learn basic English, French and German, though I couldn't swear to it. Would be interested to hear from our resident Scandos whether the kids in their countries are taken through a similar régime.

Embarrassingly, numerous Dutch and Scando players' English is better than that of some of their English teammates, and not just the youngsters either.
 
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