Brentford defender Sepp van den Berg has admitted he’s looked at Liverpool’s injuries in defence this season and considered maybe he should have stayed at Anfield after all.
Voetbal Primeur have an interview with the defender today as he continues to impress at Brentford this season.
He joined the Bees in a €23.6m deal from Liverpool in the summer as he sought regular playing time after failing to break through at Anfield.
He joined the Reds in 2019 but only managed four appearances in the first team in the following years, instead spending time out on loan at Preston North End, Schalke and Mainz.
The time to move on came in the summer when it became apparent, he would not be a part of Arne Slot’s plans, despite the Dutchman keeping him at Liverpool initially as he assessed the squad.
That’s worked out for Van den Berg as he’s been a regular for Brentford this season, managing 21 appearances in the Premier League and establishing himself as one of Thomas Frank’s regulars.
That could have been the case for him at Liverpool, though, as injuries to the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez this season would have presented him with his opportunity. That is something he is aware of, even if he’s happy at Brentford.
“I had a few conversations with Slot. But before the preparation started, I already indicated to the club that I wanted to leave and play minutes,” he said about the summer move.
“I would be lying if I said that I did not dream of returning to Liverpool one day. That is still on my mind. But for now, it was better for my career to take a different path and play a lot.
“I am doing that now and that allows me to develop as well as possible. After the preparation, Liverpool indicated that I had done so well that they wanted me to stay. But I did not really see that myself. It was all my choice; I am happy that I now play in the Premier League every week.
“I would be lying if I said that I didn’t look at that myself,” he added in regard to the missed opportunity this season
“That’s football, you don’t know. I did well in the preparation, and I could really see myself playing for the club, but not with the credit that I now have at Brentford. I am now a starter who always plays as long as he is fit.
“At Liverpool I would have been more of a player who had to fill in gaps. I would rather be that starter. And who knows, if I do well here for two or three years, I will return to Liverpool and be a starter there too.”
