14 Jan 2021 08:37:42
I'm really surprised that Van den Berg hasn't at least had a chance this season. Was very highly regarded when he signed and has the pace to play in a high line.

Seems like a Tiago Ilori situation all over again.

Anybody know what is going on with him? Koumetio, Williams and Phillips all seem to have jumped above him in pre-season. Attitude issue, physical development stunted, or just considered not good enough?

14 Jan 2021 09:15:55
Agreed MK. It does seem a bit odd doesn't it?

The only thing that could make sense is that he isn't really performing in training and so Klopp really doesn't think he is at the required level yet (similar to what is happening with Saliba at Arsenal)?

Bit of a shame if true really, he has gone from being a young player who has Dutch Eredivisie experience, to a lad behind Rhy Williams in the pecking order!


Red Sandman.

14 Jan 2021 09:28:26
I can only assume that folks are developing at different rates and that Sepp is a later bloomer?

Its only Billy that's ahead of him from an age group point of view, Adam, the others are older than him and therefore already have more experience.

Koumetio could be the exceptional one rather than Sepp not being well regarded? He is only 19 after all, Adam.

14 Jan 2021 09:45:59
Just based on when he has been in the team he looked a million miles off being first team ready. Physically especially he looked awkward and needed to fill out. I'm not going to pretend I watch the U23s so can't comment on how he's been there.

What I would say is for really tall young players which we will want in a CB it's going to be hard to judge I'm 6"5 and at 25 am only starting to properly feel 'filled out' in my body and up until 21 playing low level sports I suffered a lot with niggly injuries and back pain.

Not saying any of this applies to sepp but it's something to consider with tall young players for sure, I think he is 6"3 or so.

14 Jan 2021 09:54:47
VDB is simply not deemed to be ready yet, at this point. That is the only conclusion I can make.

14 Jan 2021 10:04:39
I think he's 6ft4 so could be an issue with filling out as he does look very lean. Rhys Williams though i believe is actually younger by a few months. Certainly they're both 19.

We'll have to see in time if he bounces back. Was just wondering if i'd missed something from the club or if anybody had an inside scoop.

Btw, PickleRick; inspired choice of username.

14 Jan 2021 10:21:40
Isn't he close to a loan deal?

14 Jan 2021 10:32:32
I think speed will ultimately be an issue for VDB. Well, that is the impression I get. The same unfortunately applies to Rhys.

14 Jan 2021 10:59:37
Cheers MK, I had an account here for the guts of the last 10 years so am well aware of you! but unfortunately got locked out of it so now am PickleRick! Good to see you back aswell by the way hadn't seen you for a while.

Following on and again I can only use myself as an example I know well but I played CB and at underage levels could easily cope physically but then when you play against men with 'man strength' I was completely out of depth I wasn't stable enough essentially and could get bullied and put off balance by people who probably even weighed less than me.

Again can not say this is a definite issue for sepp but I wouldn't be surprised if in training let's say Salah who is very clever in using his body imo could just be backing into him and turning quickly on him while he's off balance. It's not an overly technical flaw it's just simply a physical one that can't really be easily fixed apart from with time and consistent strength and conditioning.