Whatever angle you look at Liverpool from at this moment in time, the picture is always going to be a rosy one.
From the first-team right down to the youth squads, the whole club is buzzing and appears to be on the right track in every regard.
This week the youngsters proved their worth once again, with a win over Shrewsbury in the FA Cup securing their place and building on their growing reputation.
It was another composed display from the Liverpool ‘kids’, who also saw off Everton in the last round with a similarly impressive performance.
It’s led many to tip them for bright futures, but defender Sepp van den Berg insists they all have a lot to prove yet.
“There really is a lot of talent in this group, but to say this right now… We all know here that we still have a lot to prove,” he told Telesport.
“The average age against Shrewsbury Town was 19. Ki-Jana (Hoever) and I, for example, are still 18.
Tuesday’s win over Shrewsbury was the latest in a series of testing games for van den Berg, who Liverpool are being careful to manage with patience.
It was another he passed with flying colours, though, having managed similarly strong showings against the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
This time around it was in front of a packed out Anfield, something the Dutchman says he can never get used to.
“(Tuesday was) really great. Anfield was packed, while the fans knew we’d be playing with a very young team. That says more than enough about Liverpool and the fans.
“Such a full stadium, the atmosphere at Anfield. That’s something I don’t get used to after a few games. I got goosebumps again, enjoyed it as much as I did during my debut (vs Arsenal).”
Van den Berg was hot property in the summer, with several European clubs thought to be keen on securing his signature.
Bayern Munich were particularly keen, while the likes of PSV Eindhoven were also trying to lure him away from PEC Zwolle.
He ultimately decided to make the move to Anfield, though, saying it was the ‘feeling’ he got from Liverpool that made his mind up.
“I thought, how? That such clubs were interested was almost unreal,” he added.
“I wasn’t even a basic player on the national youth teams. I also saw PSV as a very nice option; I liked that club from a very young age.
“Only the feeling with Liverpool is… (special). (It’s) so big, but really a family club. The warmth here is special.
“If you come to the club, you won’t get a handshake, but a hug from manager Jürgen Klopp.
“It’s little things that make you feel really appreciated here. I hope it will eventually lead to Liverpool’s first team.”
