There is a long list of players that have been on Liverpool's payroll over the years that have never gotten a proper chance to break into the first team for a variety of reasons.
Sometimes, and most often, the player is just not good enough. Other times however, there is a disconnect between the player and the coaching staff, play style, other stars being in their position and so on.
In the case of Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg, it's somewhere in the middle. Despite his public cries to be sold this summer, he is still a Red and I'm here to say he should be given an opportunity to fight for a place in the team.
Here are three reason's why.
1. Proved himself in a Top 4 league in the Bundesliga
Last season at Mainz 05, van den Berg was a stalwart in their starting lineup as he was a crucial piece to their defense.
He was going against some of the best players in the world in the form of Harry Kane, Florian Wirtz, Donyell Malen and more in the German Bundesliga. It would not be a shock for him to step into a role with Liverpool where he starts the majority of cup matches for example.
Over the last 365 days, he averages over 2 blocks per game which has him in the 98th percentile at his position.
His 185 aerial duels won in 2023/24 was the second most in the Bundesliga behind the leader who sat at 187. This physical gift is something that would suit him well in the Premier League.
He also put up 159 clearances showing his no-nonsense defending which is something Liverpool could have used more of last term.
2. He is still young with a high-potential ceiling
Still only 22, one might be forgiven if they are hesitant to cash in on the Dutchman right now. You don't want to sell early on a player because of circumstances out of their control and watch them blossom into a world class player elsewhere.
A look at the likes of Jarell Quansah last season who burst onto the scene as a 20-year old early in the campaign and never relinquished his role is a shining example.
Could that opportunity have gone to van den Berg if he were at the club? Perhaps, and we might never have seen Quansah do what he did.
A future pairing of Quansah-van den Berg could be one that excites Arne Slot and his staff, as both are still a few years away from sniffing their prime in this game. They would compliment each other very well on the pitch as well.
Van den Berg still has a high level he can hit and he is only scratching the surface right now.
3. Sepp van den Berg fits the Liverpool system
Lastly, the most pragmatic reason to consider keeping the young defender at Anfield is he appears to be a good player in what Slot wants to do.
His size and speed are a combination that any coach would rave about. He is not afraid to mix it up which will serve him well in the Premier League. He's had a strong preseason so far and despite the rumors swirling around, has been nothing but professional.
As I mentioned above, he could make for a nice pairing with JQ and even Virgil van Dijk if the moment arose. With van Dijk aging, Joe Gomez having peaked and Ibrahima Konate being injury prone, the chances would be there I'm sure.
His speed and physical traits would allow him to thrive in the high-line defense that Slot champions and will try to implement at Liverpool.
He can read the game very well and is calm and fearless in defense which is something that lacked in the Reds defense at crucial times down the stretch of last season.
Sepp van den Berg's future is up in the air, but objectively, the club should give him every chance to shine here before they consider selling.