In a recent report, Eurosport revealed that Liverpool have identified Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge as an ideal replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, whose contract runs out at the end of this campaign. It is believed that the Reds are now prepared to join Aston Villa in the race to acquire the signature of the Norwegian midfielder (via Eurosport).
Berge’s Injury Frustrations At Bramall Lane This Season
Berge has endured an injury-plagued debut season with the Blades as he has missed a lot of matches after undergoing surgery on his hamstring. He has not played competitive football for a long time but could return to action before the end of this season.
The 23-year-old has featured in 14 matches for the Yorkshire outfit this term, netting one goal and providing one assist in all competitions. Berge has influenced the game at both ends during his time on the pitch as he has averaged 1.2 tackles, 1.4 clearances, 0.8 shots, 0.9 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He has even distributed possession accurately because he has completed 85.8% of his attempted passes in league football this season (stats via whoscored).
Berge is a player who can do a bit of everything at the centre of the park. However, his recent injury layoff makes him a risky candidate for Liverpool to consider to replace Wijnaldum in the summer.
What Are The Norwegian Playmaker’s Best Attributes?
Berge has got a great engine in him and is usually one of the hardest working players on the field. He can get up and down the field at his pace and is an excellent passer of the ball from midfield. Standing at 1.95m, the Norwegian international can use his powerful frame to overpower the opposition and win some important aerial duels for his team. He is even not shy of getting stuck in with a few tackles to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm in the game.
Will Berge Be A Good Option For The Reds?
Despite his ability to make an impact in both halves, Berge needs to work on improving his productivity in the attacking third. He has been involved in just two goals which won’t be good enough for him to earn a regular starting spot at a top club like Liverpool.
Plus, he has to prove his fitness upon returning from his long injury layoff, so Klopp would be wise to wait and see how he performs before deciding whether to make a move for him during the summer transfer window. At 23, Berge has a lot of room to grow into a world-class player in his position, so he could turn out to be a decent option for the Reds in the long-run.
