Forgotten Liverpool star admits holding Ajax talks before Henderson transfer

20 January 2024 , 00:00

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Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg in action for Mainz earlier this season (Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has admitted he held talks with Ajax last summer over a potential move.

The 22-year-old is currently out on loan at Bundesliga side Mainz and has played 18 matches so far this season, scoring one goal. Van den Berg spent last season on loan at Schalke, but was restricted to nine first-team appearances after suffering a serious ankle injury.

Before his move to Mainz, there was competition for Van den Berg's signature. In fact, the defender has revealed that he was in talks to sign for Ajax, who instead signed Gaston Avila and Josip Sutalo after he made a decision on his future.

"I called (former Ajax manager) Maurice Steijn in the summer," Van den Berg told ESPN. "It was not very concrete, but there was interest. Ajax remains a very big club, but I have my sights set more on abroad. Certainly England or Germany.

"If I now go looking outside, I might also want to go to Italy or Spain. I have been active abroad from an early age and, never say never, but I am focusing on abroad this summer."

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If Van den Berg made the switch to Ajax, he would have been reunited with Jordan Henderson after the former Liverpool captain joined the Amsterdam club on Thursday. Van den Berg was asked about his ex-teammate and admitted he will be an astute addition for Ajax.

"Henderson is really a top guy," he said. "He is a nice man and a real leader both on and off the field. I certainly think that Ajax's young, talented selection can use someone in midfield who will direct.

Jordan Henderson has signed a two-year deal with Ajax (Ajax FC)

"In my opinion, he can do that as the best. He is a real captain and a great personality. Off the field, if there is something wrong with the player group, for example, he can discuss it very well with a trainer.

"He is good at getting realistic things out of it. You can laugh with him and have good conversations, so he is a nice guy. He is also a real leader on the field.

"During the corona(virus) period you could walk through the empty stadiums. You can hear clearly what was happening on the field. If you watch Liverpool matches, you can hear him above everyone else. So he really takes the team in tow. As far as I'm concerned, he's a super good captain."

Henderson left Liverpool to join Al-Ettifaq in the summer, but the midfielder struggled to settle into life in the Middle East, making 19 appearances in total. The 33-year-old has now returned to Europe after Al-Ettifaq agreed to mutually terminate his contract, less than six months after signing.

Kieran King