Former Liverpool Defender Admits He Would Go Home Crying – “I Had No Confidence” – Liverpool FC

Sepp van den Berg has opened up about his dark days at Liverpool as a teenager after moving away from his family, while also admitting that Arne Slot offered him a squad place.

The Dutchman was victorious against the Reds on Saturday evening, continuing to shine at the heart of Brentford‘s defence.

Van den Berg arrived at Liverpool from PEC Zwolle as a teenager back in 2019, but he ended up failing to make the grade, making only four appearances.

In an interview with the Guardianthe 23-year-old discussed his challenging early spell with the Reds, during which time his mental health suffered.

“It was definitely dark days,” Van den Berg said.

“As a 17-year-old boy coming in from a different country, you’re not the priority.

“I was going home crying at some points and then not speaking to anyone. Do you call this depressed? I think it’s a bit too heavy a word. But I wasn’t feeling well.

“I wasn’t in the head space you are supposed to be in. I had no confidence and that really affected me as a footballer.

“I was just constantly doubting myself, like I was not good enough. I didn’t want to go to training, which is not me. Then, you know you are really down low.

“Looking back, if someone had taken care of me as a young player, it would have helped me, for sure.

“For young guys going abroad, going to big clubs, I’d say to parents: ‘Be careful. Make sure the kid is OK.’ I have lovely parents, my mum FaceTimes me every day but still she didn’t know 100% how I felt.

“And for the clubs, definitely look out more for the younger players. On the other hand, I did learn a lot from the situation. It made me the guy I am today.

“My injury at Schalke, as well – it makes you stronger. You learn so much because you go into such a dark space. It feels like your whole world dies in front of you because football is your world. Luckily, I survived it.”

It is an eye-opening account of what young players experience when moving to the world’s biggest clubs, and highlights how important it is for player welfare to be at the top of the agenda.

Van den Berg also revealed how he appreciated Slot giving him a chance at Liverpool, which hadn’t happened before under Jurgen Kloppbut the centre-back decided to leave.

“It was totally different,” he added. “The years before, I never had this feeling of me having a proper chance.

“A few weeks down the line, he was saying: ‘You’re doing very well. I want you to stay.’ If you have the manager of Liverpool saying that, it’s not nothing.

“So, of course, I started thinking again. ‘Maybe I should stay, maybe I should sign a new contract here.’ It was weird.

“He was open, easy to speak to. We’re both Dutch, so we are very direct. I like that. He told me: ‘You’re not going to start but I believe if you stay you will get a chance in the future to start.’”

It is pleasing to see Van den Berg impressing for Brentford and reaching his potential, especially after opening up about trickier times.

It is also a timely reminder that young players need to be managed with care when they move to huge clubs, with Milos Kerkez a 21-year-old who hasn’t yet adapted to his new surroundings.

Ironically, Slot could do with Van den Berg in his squad now, with Giovanni Leoni out for the season, and Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez never too far away from an injury absence.