Van den Berg sets the record straight after making frank transfer demand

Sepp van den Berg insists it would be a dream to stay at Liverpool beyond the summer transfer window - provided he will play regularly in the Premier League.

The Dutch defender, 22, joined the Reds from PEC Zwolle back in 2019 but is yet to make a single league appearance and is in demand after impressing on loan in Germany.

Van den Berg was a regular for Mainz in the Bundesliga last season and spoke frankly about the possibility of leaving the club for good earlier this summer - but he seemingly hasn't given up hope of making a name for himself at Anfield.

In an interview with Sky Sports this weekend, the defender said: “I’m still a Liverpool player. I enjoy it here, really. It’s been a very nice pre-season. Of course a new coach, so a new era starts, fresh training, a new style of play, I really like it.

“For me it’s just about game time and at the moment I’m getting it here, so, I’m happy at the moment but it’s still early, you never know what can happen.

“For me the most important things is playing and if I can do it here then there’s no better place. It’s one of the biggest if not the biggest club in the world so if it’s here then it’s my dream. But for me the most important thing is playing. So, we’ll see what happens.”

Arne Slot is now at the helm following Jurgen Klopp's departure at the end of last season and, for what its worth, the Dutchman has been impressed with Van den Berg in pre-season, per a previous report from The Athletic.

While the same publication claimed that Liverpool rejected offers from Mainz and Wolfsburg this summer, Sky Sport Deutschland claimed earlier this week that the player was in talks with Hoffenheim over a potential switch.

The report also outlined that Van den Berg, who is valued at around £20million by Liverpool, wants to leave the club this summer.

Liverpool are yet to make a signing under Slot but incomings and outgoings are expected before the transfer window shuts next month. A number of fringe players have been linked with exits in recent weeks, meaning Van den Berg would not be the only star to leave Anfield if a return to Germany does materialise.