Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has hinted at a potential exit from the club this summer, having held talks with Ajax last year. The 22-year-old is currently out on loan with German side Mainz 05.
It’s his third temporary move since he joined Liverpool in 2019, having previously taken in spells at Preston North End and Schalke. Van den Berg has made 18 appearances for the Bundesliga side this season.
Mainz sits just above the automatic relegation spots and faces the possibility of a play-off to stay in Germany’s top flight. Van den Berg experienced relegation with Schalke last season, with his return from a serious injury at the back end of the campaign not enough to salvage Bundesliga status.
The Netherlands U21 international is under contract until 2026 at Anfield, although Liverpool will face another decision over his future when he returns to Merseyside in the summer. Van den Berg is already thinking about his next step, having held talks last summer.
“I called (former Ajax manager) Maurice Steijn in the summer,” Van den Berg told ESPN. “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.”
Had he made the move to Ajax last summer, Van den Berg might have found himself linking up with his former Liverpool captain this month. Jordan Henderson has completed a move to the Dutch giant, having had his contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq terminated.
“Henderson is really a top guy,” Van den Berg said. “He is a nice man and a real leader both on and off the field. I certainly think that Ajax’s young, talented selection can use someone in midfield who will direct.
“In my opinion, he can do that as the best. He is a real captain and a great personality. Off the field, if there is something wrong with the player group, for example, he can discuss it very well with a trainer.
“He is good at getting realistic things out of it. You can laugh with him and have good conversations, so he is a nice guy. He is also a real leader on the field.
“During the corona period you could walk through the empty stadiums. You can hear clearly what was happening on the field. If you watch Liverpool matches, you can hear him above everyone else.
“So he really takes the team in tow. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a super good captain.”
