Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has revealed he has hopes of emulating Virgil van Dijk during his playing career.
The 20-year-old central defender joined the Reds during the summer of 2019 from Dutch side PEC Zwolle and has featured four times for Jurgen Klopp's side.
In a bid to gain further first-team experience, Van den Berg spent the second half of last season at Preston North End and re-joined the Championship side for the entirety of this campaign.
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Although he still waiting in the wings for an opportunity to shine in the Reds' starting squad, the young defender has no regrets over his decision to make the move to Merseyside.
“You don’t say no to a club like Liverpool," he told De Stentor.
"Everyone has their opinion, but I see it as a fantastic step. And what if I had said no? Who’s to say Liverpool would turn up again two years later for the same money? Or if I get injured or out of shape, then I can already tell you: they will not come.
“My dream is a starting place at Liverpool and the Netherlands’ senior team. I also hope to become even better than Virgil van Dijk. I know: with that I set the bar high. But I think you should always dream and think big."
Van Den Berg may well have been handed an opportunity to impress by Klopp last season, had he not been out on loan at Preston as Liverpool got to grips with their injury crisis in defence.
The Dutch defender has watched on as the likes of Rhys Williams and Neco Williams have been afforded ample opportunities, but he is happy with the progress he has made as a player and a person regardless.
"I don't think I didn't make it," he said on his time at Liverpool to date.
"I got to play in the Liverpool first-team, experience a full Anfield. I was also part of the team that won the Club World Cup in Qatar and later won the European Super Cup.
"So I've been through a lot of beautiful things. Only: it can always be better. Play Premier League, win Premier League. That is what I want.
“If for some reason it doesn't work, fine. Because I know I don't have to blame myself. I have even developed quite a few cooking skills. That would never have happened if I had stayed in Zwolle as my mother would have cooked for me every night.
"No doubt she would have just washed my clothes, but I'm getting better at that too. I just leave it in the laundry basket a little too long.”
