When Sepp van den Berg joined Liverpool at just 17, it felt like a dream come true. But soon, that dream became a struggle. After only a few appearances, he was pushed to the reserves and began to feel forgotten. Below you will see inormation about this news which has been summarized The Football Insight.
Living alone in a new country, the young defender faced deep loneliness and began losing confidence. “I was going home crying,” he admitted, recalling how isolated and uncertain he felt during those early days at Anfield.
The pressure of playing for such a massive club took a toll on his mental health. He often doubted himself and dreaded going to training something he had never experienced before. It wasn’t depression, he said, but it was close. He felt invisible and lost, desperate for someone to notice how much he was struggling.
Looking back, Van den Berg believes more care from Liverpool could have changed everything. “For young players going abroad, clubs need to look out for them,” he said. Still, he doesn’t carry bitterness. Those hard moments, he says, built the resilience that defines him today.
Rebuilding Confidence at Preston and Mainz
His loan move to Preston North End was the turning point. At Preston, Van den Berg rediscovered joy and purpose in football. “Life-saver is a big word, but that’s what it was,” he said. Feeling trusted and valued again gave him the belief he had lost at Liverpool.
After recovering from a severe ankle injury at Schalke, his next stop was Mainz, where he became a regular starter. The environment in Germany, while strict and hierarchical, helped him grow. “Even though I had to pump up the training balls as one of the youngest, I was playing every game,” he laughed.
By the end of his Mainz spell, Van den Berg had proven himself again confident, composed, and ready for the next step. He knew he needed a permanent home where he could keep developing, even when Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, urged him to stay.
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Choosing Brentford Over a Second Chance
Slot’s arrival at Liverpool gave Van den Berg a difficult choice. The Dutch manager praised him during preseason, saying he wanted him to stay and fight for a place. For a moment, Van den Berg considered it. “When the Liverpool manager tells you that, it’s not nothing,” he said.
But deep down, he knew it was time to move on. He needed stability and consistent football something Liverpool couldn’t promise. So, in the summer of 2024, he joined Brentford for £20 million, just days before facing his former club at Anfield.
At Brentford, he immediately felt at home. “It’s the friendliness and equality here,” he said. “You see everyone even the owner shakes your hand after every home game.” For the first time in years, Van den Berg felt part of something that truly fit him.
Finding Belonging and Strength at Brentford
Now a key player under manager Keith Andrews, Van den Berg has not missed a single minute this season. Brentford’s unique mix of data-driven precision and human connection suits him perfectly. Their focus on character famously known as the “no dickheads” policy creates a positive, respectful atmosphere.
“The main reason they signed me was my data from Mainz,” he said, “but they also care about personality.” He’s especially grateful for the club’s psychologist, Anna West, who helps him stay mentally balanced while living alone in London.
Reflecting on his journey, Van den Berg feels grateful for both the pain and the progress. “Those dark days made me stronger,” he said. “Football is my world, and at Brentford, I finally feel alive in it again.” Follow footballtipsonline.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest stories.