According to VG, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he holds Sander Berge at high esteem. The Liverpool manager had heaped praise on the Genk midfielder following the club’s 2-1 win in the UEFA Champions League. “He’s a good player. A very good player. He is certainly interesting”, Klopp said during an interview with VG at the Melwood training ground in Liverpool.
Berge’s success at Genk
A product of the Asker youth academy in his native Norway, Berge initially moved to Genk in 2017, in a €2 million move from Valerenga. He was then rated as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
But, the midfielder endured a slow start to his career in Belgium, making only nine Jupiler Pro League appearances in his debut campaign, although he was a regular in the UEFA Europa League. Berge enjoyed a more prominent role the following season, but his development was halted by a torn muscle that kept him out for almost five months.
Since then, the Norwegian has suffered a lot of niggles. But this season, he has been one of the most ever-present figures in the Genk side and has already notched up 1,200 minutes of league football while featuring in all four of the club’s matches in the Champions League.
Berge’s impressive performances for Genk has also made him a regular in the Norwegian national team, having already won 18 caps so far.
What can he bring to the table?
A defensive midfielder by trade, Berge is known for his ability to provide security to the backline. He is an excellent reader of the game, who is often quick to cut out the passing lanes of the opposition. Besides, the Norwegian loves to close down opponents, denying them from making any sort of transition in their final third.
Physically, Berge has an imposing 1.95m figure that makes him an intimidating figure in the middle of the park. It also hands him a considerable advantage from aerial duels.
Should Liverpool make a move for Berge?
Berge’s style of play is ideally suited to Klopp’s Gegenpressing system that focuses on cutting off passing options for the ball carrier. As mentioned earlier, the Norwegian has aggression as well as the work-ethic to help Liverpool execute a high press in midfield. Moreover, his physical attributes make him a tailor-made fit for the Premier League.
Berge could provide Klopp with an excellent alternative for Fabinho in the defensive midfield slot. And with James Milner nearing the ned of his career, the Genk midfielder could be a smart, long-term investment for the Reds.
