Liverpool May Regret Selling Promising Van Dijk Successor

Liverpool’s quadruple dreams are alive once again under new manager Arne Slot. The Dutchman has made an immediate impact since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds leading the Premier League and still competing on all fronts.

However, as the team pushes for glory, there are lingering questions about the future of key players like Virgil van Dijk. The captain’s contract expires soon, leaving Liverpool potentially needing to find a successor for their defensive lynchpin.

In hindsight, the £25 million sale of young defender Sepp van den Berg to Brentford last summer may prove shortsighted. The 22-year-old Dutchman has impressed in the Premier League this season, showcasing the physical and technical attributes to potentially fill van Dijk’s sizeable boots.

Van den Berg ranks in the top 1% of center backs in Europe’s top leagues for aerial duels won. He’s also proven capable of playing out from the back, completing 84% of his passes for Brentford. These are qualities that would fit well in Slot’s system at Liverpool.

While academy graduate Jarell Quansah has shown promise, van den Berg’s Premier League experience may have made him a more ready-made replacement if van Dijk departs. The young defender’s commanding presence and composure on the ball are reminiscent of his compatriot.

Ultimately, Liverpool netted a healthy profit on a player with limited first-team experience. But if van Dijk leaves this summer, the Reds may wish they had kept van den Berg around as a potential heir to the throne in central defense.

Only time will tell if selling the promising Dutchman was the right call. For now, Liverpool must focus on their trophy hunt and hope van Dijk commits his future to the club. But van den Berg’s performances for Brentford suggest he could have been a valuable asset for years to come at Anfield.