Overview
Sepp van den Berg is a professional footballer from the Netherlands, known for his role as a central defender. Born in Zwolle on December 20, 2001, van den Berg stands at 1.90 meters, providing a significant physical presence in defensive situations. His career has seen him develop through the Dutch youth system before making a move to English football, followed by several loan spells across Europe to gain consistent first-team experience.
Position
Van den Berg operates predominantly as a central defender. He is right-footed and is comfortable playing in a two-centre-back system or as part of a back three. His physical attributes, particularly his height, make him effective in aerial duels, while his defensive awareness allows him to read the game and make timely interceptions. He has also occasionally been deployed as a right-back, demonstrating versatility across the defensive line.
Identity
Often identified as a developing ball-playing centre-back, van den Berg combines traditional defensive solidity with an increasing ability to contribute to build-up play from the back. His loan moves have been instrumental in refining his tactical understanding and adapting to different league styles, from the physicality of the English Championship to the tactical demands of the Bundesliga. His trajectory suggests a player focused on continuous improvement and gaining crucial senior minutes to hone his craft.
Career path
Sepp van den Berg began his football journey in the youth ranks of his hometown club, PEC Zwolle. He quickly progressed through their academy system, demonstrating potential from an early age. His senior debut for PEC Zwolle came on March 11, 2018, when he was just 16 years old, appearing in an Eredivisie match against Groningen. This early exposure to professional football marked him as a promising talent.
PEC Zwolle (2018–2019)
After his debut, van den Berg continued to feature for PEC Zwolle, making a total of 16 appearances across all competitions for the club. His performances in the Eredivisie attracted attention from larger European clubs. During his time at Zwolle, he gained valuable experience playing against senior professionals in the Dutch top flight.
Liverpool (2019–present)
In July 2019, van den Berg made a significant move to Liverpool FC, signing for a reported fee of £1.3 million, potentially rising to £4.4 million with add-ons [Transfermarkt]. He initially joined the club's U23 squad but soon made his senior debut for Liverpool in a League Cup tie against Milton Keynes Dons in September 2019 [Wikipedia]. While at Liverpool, he primarily featured in cup competitions and for the reserve team, gaining experience within a top-tier European club environment.
Preston North End (loan, 2021–2022)
To further his development and secure regular first-team football, van den Berg joined Preston North End on loan in February 2021 for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. This loan was extended for the entire 2021-22 season [Transfermarkt]. During his time at Preston, he became a regular starter in the Championship, making 61 appearances in total across his two spells and gaining crucial experience in a competitive league.
Schalke 04 (loan, 2022–2023)
For the 2022-23 season, van den Berg moved to Germany, joining Schalke 04 on a season-long loan [Transfermarkt]. He played 10 matches in the Bundesliga, contributing to Schalke's efforts to avoid relegation. His time in Germany provided exposure to another major European league, further diversifying his experience.
Mainz 05 (loan, 2023–2024)
Following his spell at Schalke, van den Berg remained in the Bundesliga for the 2023-24 season, joining Mainz 05 on loan. He became a key figure in their defense, making 33 appearances across all competitions and playing a significant role in their league campaign [FotMob]. This loan spell has been his most consistent period of top-flight football to date.
Playing style
Sepp van den Berg is characterized as a modern central defender with a strong physical presence and an evolving technical game. His primary attributes revolve around his defensive solidity, aerial prowess, and increasingly, his ability to initiate attacks from the back. Standing at 1.90m, he is particularly dominant in aerial duels, a critical asset for any central defender, both in defending set pieces and winning long balls [Sofascore].
His defensive positioning and anticipation are continually improving. Van den Berg demonstrates a good understanding of where to be to cut out passes and block shots. While not known for blistering pace, he compensates with intelligent positioning and recovery runs. His tackling is generally clean and well-timed, and he shows good discipline in one-on-one situations.
On the ball, van den Berg is comfortable. He possesses a decent range of passing, capable of playing short, accurate passes to midfielders or switching play with longer diagonals. His distribution has become a more prominent feature of his game during his loan spells in the Bundesliga, where centre-backs are often expected to contribute significantly to build-up play. He exhibits composure under pressure, rarely forcing passes and preferring to maintain possession.
Comparisons in playing style might be drawn to defenders who combine physical strength with a growing ability to play out from the back, such as a young Virgil van Dijk in his early Eredivisie days or perhaps a more robust version of Joël Matip, particularly in their ability to carry the ball forward. While still developing, van den Berg's commitment to improving his technical aspects alongside his natural defensive qualities makes him a well-rounded prospect. His time in various leagues has also helped him adapt to different tactical systems, enhancing his versatility and tactical intelligence.
Achievements & honours
As a young defender, Sepp van den Berg's career has been primarily focused on development and gaining senior experience through various loan spells. While individual senior team honours are still accumulating, he has been part of squads that have achieved success or competed at high levels.
During his time at Liverpool, although primarily featuring in cup competitions and for the youth teams, he was part of the wider squad that achieved significant success. While not playing a direct role in the Premier League or Champions League triumphs, his presence within the club's ecosystem during a period of immense success contributed to his development and understanding of a winning mentality.
His loan moves have been instrumental in gaining consistent first-team minutes and developing his game. With Preston North End, he was a key player in the Championship, accumulating a significant number of appearances. Similarly, his spells in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04 and particularly Mainz 05 have seen him become a regular starter in one of Europe's top leagues, facing high-calibre opposition weekly.
As of May 2026, van den Berg is still in the early stages of his senior career, with a focus on establishing himself as a top-tier defender. His primary achievements to date are centered around consistent game time in competitive leagues and continuous personal development.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | FIFA Club World Cup | 2019 |
| Liverpool | Premier League | 2019-2020 |
International career
Sepp van den Berg has represented the Netherlands at various youth international levels, showcasing his potential within the national setup. He has been a consistent presence in the Dutch youth teams, progressing through the age groups and gaining valuable experience in international tournaments and qualification campaigns.
He has featured for the Netherlands U19 team, making appearances in European Championship qualifiers. His performances at this level helped him gain recognition and further solidified his standing as a promising defensive talent within the Dutch football federation.
Van den Berg has also been a regular for the Netherlands U21 squad. He has participated in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers and tournaments, playing alongside other emerging Dutch talents. These experiences are crucial for young players, providing exposure to different international playing styles and high-pressure tournament environments [UEFA].
As of May 2026, Sepp van den Berg has not yet received a senior cap for the Netherlands national team. However, his continued development and consistent performances in the Bundesliga suggest that a call-up to the senior squad could be a future possibility. The Netherlands has a strong tradition of producing top-tier central defenders, and van den Berg's trajectory places him among the candidates to potentially represent the Oranje at the highest level in the coming years, provided he continues his upward trend in club football.
What makes Sepp van den Berg stand out
Sepp van den Berg stands out primarily due to his blend of physical attributes and a strong commitment to developing his technical game. His imposing height of 1.90m makes him a formidable presence in the air, allowing him to dominate aerial duels, which is a critical asset in both defensive and offensive set-piece situations. This physical dominance is complemented by a growing tactical intelligence, enabling him to read the game effectively and position himself to intercept threats.
Another distinguishing trait is his adaptability and willingness to embrace loan challenges across different European leagues. From the demanding physicality of the English Championship to the tactical nuances of the Bundesliga, van den Berg has consistently sought and succeeded in securing regular first-team football. This diverse experience has accelerated his development, exposing him to various playing styles and tactical systems, which is invaluable for a young defender.
"Sepp has consistently shown his quality and willingness to adapt. He's a player who learns quickly and embraces new challenges." – Editorial summation