Perhaps van den Berg is our extra CB for next season.
Hope so. He can also fill in at right back, which would be handy in our new formation as he can slot into the gap when Trent goes into midfield.
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Translated from der Ruhr Nachrichten
It was one of Schalke’s best away games this season. Several players stood out in the 3-2 win in Mainz. One was the big surprise.
After his successful short comeback in the home game against Werder Bremen, Sepp van den Berg went one better in Mainz. The Dutchman was not only in the Schalke starting eleven for the first time since October 2, 2022, he also showed an almost flawless performance over the 102 minutes of play. For coach Thomas Reis this was not such a big surprise.
"I’ve seen his progress in training. He justified his line-up,” said Reis, smiling a little. Because van den Berg’s personality showed that he was right in his assessment that every player could be important in the relegation battle. Two weeks ago, who would have thought that van den Berg could have this significance for the Königsblauen?
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I watched their game against Mainz last night and I thought he did really well (had a great clearance near the end of the game that probably saved their goal). I didn’t intend to watch it because I thought he wouldn’t be starting so soon but when I saw him in the line-up, I decided to give it a go. It’s a small sample but it seems like he doesn’t look out of place in Bundesliga.
I thought his aerial game improved a lot, as well as his composure on the ball (nothing otherworldly progressive, just calm and smart passing). I thought he looked good in one-on-ones as well, he doesn’t go to the ground quickly. I think he’s buying/has bought himself a pre-season with Klopp but I think he’ll head out to another loan, hopefully with his contract extended prior to it (mainly because he’s lost a lot of playing time due to injury).
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For such a big lad I thought he looked physically quite weak in the few appearances he had with us. But there is admittedly a big difference between trying to defend at this level as an 18 year old, as he was when he played with us, vs being in your early 20s as he is now. Even now he’s still quite baby faced as well so likely has some growing into his body left to do that will only serve him well and hopefully help him keep improving over the next couple of years.
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I’m no expert on these things but I thought he had a good frame and technical ability when I first saw him play. However, he looked a bit slow off the mark, in my opinion, at least on TV. Maybe as he fills out his frame, he will also gain some acceleration and speed but it’s the ability to deal with physical players one-on-one that encouraged me in last night’s game.
I’d like to see how he deals with very quick forwards - it’s not that Mainz players were slow but I didn’t think they were “electric” enough. His overall game looked to have significantly improved, though, but the nature of football has been such for quite some time that you really have to have an outstanding physical attributes to become successful, especially in PL.
Best thing for him will probably be another similar or slightly better loan, if he can earn that interest. Shame he missed almost the whole of the season.
That’s the thing. He’s still very young for a defender and in the grand scheme of things another year in the Bundesliga either with Schalke again for continuity or a more competitive side (no idea if Schalke are reasonably expected to sort their shit out next season) will do him no harm at all. For comparison sake, Virgil was 24 by the time he made it to the Prem and even in his own telling he needed that amount of time to develop his game enough to play at that level.
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In December if my figures are right… He will be exactly same age as Konate was when we signed him… Maybe keep him at Anfield this season, sort of sink or swim in the European games if we get any
Why would we want to rush him into a situation when he’s more likely to sink if a bit more patience will better prepare him to swim when the time comes, and still leave him being plenty young enough? Why force it?
My assumption was the loan to Schalke was intended to be his last loan but missing the full year through injury likely means he’ll go out one more time.
I still think we are confident at getting him into our first team eventually though.
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While loaning players out can be done for the best intentions, getting game time etc… Sometimes, someone like Jurgen showing a bit of faith in you, an arm around the shoulder, being included in team meetings back at Anfield etc… can be a lot more beneficial to a players mental state, and boosting their overall confidence than being shipped out somewhere to play at a lower level. Looks like Ibou is going to be around our backline for many years to come… Showing a guy one would hope is good enough to partner him, that is at an identical age to Ibou at his arrival, will be given the same opportunity to shine. Who better to watch, listen and learn from than VVD… It is just an opinion I have
Robertson isn’t playing wing back, not even remotely close to that.
Average positions at HT right now:
Still have to see how it changes depending on the players we have on the pitch, opponent, type of game, etc.
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Had a good game yesterday and he knows how to comfort a young fan.
https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1655520315143749633?s=20
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Man would I love to sign both Mac Allister and Rice. Rice was once again excellent yesterday and a good guy to boot.
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I honestly reckon our whole squad is better on the ball including Kelleher and Alisson
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I’m way past turning midfielders into defenders. I’m currently looking at Cody Gakpo, seeing he is 6’4” and thinking ‘hmmmm…’
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Di Marzio mentioned Barella yesterday, but stuff like “Liverpool will watch him in the CL semi” is literally no news whatsoever. Of course we’ll have people watching that, everyone will.
But Barella and Mac would be brilliant if we could pull it off.