Sepp van den Berg insists his “dream” remains with Liverpool, with details now being revealed about the new contract he signed before joining Schalke on loan.
Dutch defender Van den Berg is one of 17 players currently on loan from Anfield, having made the move to Bundesliga side Schalke at the end of the transfer window.
The 20-year-old has already taken on a first-choice role under Frank Kramer, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in all three games so far, against Stuttgart, Bochum and Dortmund.
It serves as a big step after 18 months on loan with Preston, and in an interview with ELF Voetbal in his native Netherlands, Van den Berg admitted he felt he needed to prove himself above the Championship.
“Over the last year and a half I gained a lot of experience at Preston,” he explained.
“Just look at my shoulders. I have gained 10 kilos, just muscle mass!
“Another year in the Championship was not my preference. I spoke with Burnley, but he still wanted to go one step further. The Bundesliga was my preference.”
Van den Berg signed a new long-term deal with Liverpool before heading to Gelsenkirchen, with the Dutch Under-21 international now confirmed to be linked to the club until 2026.
He suggests there could still be a future for him on Merseyside, as he reiterated that it was his “dream” to establish himself under Jurgen Klopp.
“My dream is still to be successful there,” he continued.
“Fortunately, I have been playing every game for over a year and a half.
“Last season, including the Dutch youth, I was almost 60. I missed a game. I’m good at that, so this season is very important.”
That he has risen from a key role in the Championship to a regular spot in the Bundesliga, one of Europe’s top five leagues, will no doubt please Klopp and his staff.
After all, gaining experience by playing consistently and at a high level will be your best chance of joining the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez in the first team.
“To be honest, I already knew during pre-season that I would be loaned out,” Van den Berg said.
“The possibility of playing for Liverpool is, of course, small.
“It was good to be on the bench for four more games in the Premier League this season. But I learn more when I play.”
