According to VG, via Sport Witness, Jurgen Klopp was impressed with Genk midfielder Sander Berge during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over the Belgian side in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Klopp expressed his interest in the 21-year-old as he spoke to him after the game and was complimentary after his tenacious display with a Genk side which could consider themselves unlucky not to take a point away after a promising display at Anfield.
Berge joined Genk from Norwegian side Valerenga in 2017 and has impressed several ‘big’ European clubs in his two years with Genk.
The Norwegian international is valued at around £20 million (as per Transfermarkt), and a future transfer to the current Champions League holders could be on the cards after the youngster raised his stock with another impressive display. The 21-year-old was especially impressive during Genk’s 0-0 draw with Napoli in October; earning a 7.58 rating for his efforts. That result may have helped Liverpool as they hope to progress from Group E and after another win on Tuesday, Klopp’s side move to the top of the group.
According to Sport Witness, Klopp told Berge after the game that he was a ‘very interesting player’ and he was clearly happy to be recognised by the German coach, saying; “it was a great moment. It is nice. You take it with a smile. It is nice that such a reputable coach comes and says something like that.”
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Klopp and Berge clearly seem to have a mutual respect for each other, so a future move for the 21-year-old Genk man certainly doesn’t seem out of the question for Liverpool. At just 21, Berge could provide a long-term replacement for James Milner, with the 33-year-old’s contract set to run out in the summer.
As a traditionally more defensive midfielder, Berge could also provide solid back-up for Fabinho, so it would not be a surprise to see Klopp move for the versatile youngster in the near future.