Liverpool and Manchester City Rivalry Heats Up: Pep Guardiola Eyes Former Liverpool Defender Sepp van den Berg

Liverpool and Manchester City have established one of the fiercest rivalries in Premier League history over recent years, with the two clubs battling for domestic supremacy. This season appears no different, as the title race shapes up to be another intense contest. Amid this backdrop, Pep Guardiola has reportedly turned his attention to an unexpected target—former Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg.

Guardiola’s Longstanding Interest

According to Strike90mins, Guardiola has been monitoring Sepp van den Berg since the Dutch centre-back was on Liverpool’s books but playing on loan at Preston North End. The report claims:

“The centre-back caught his eye during a pre-season friendly in 2021, and he has been on Guardiola’s radar ever since.”

Now at Brentford, van den Berg left Liverpool this summer under the management of Arne Slot. If Manchester City were to pursue the 22-year-old, it would come as a shock to many, given that Liverpool deemed him surplus to requirements just months ago.

Questions Surrounding Liverpool’s Decision

Liverpool’s decision to part ways with van den Berg could face renewed scrutiny if City were to make a move for him. The Dutchman had reportedly exceeded expectations during his time on loan at Preston and was even considered a potential option for the Reds’ squad under their new coaching team. However, he ultimately left in search of regular first-team football—something Liverpool seemingly could not guarantee.

If Guardiola does move to bring van den Berg to the Etihad Stadium, it raises questions about how Liverpool valued the young defender and whether they underestimated his potential.

The Brentford Move and City’s Interest

Van den Berg’s switch to Brentford appeared to be a natural step for a player seeking consistent game time, something Manchester City may also struggle to offer. With City’s squad packed with world-class defenders, it is unclear how the Dutchman would fit into Guardiola’s plans.

Adding to the intrigue is the reported price tag Liverpool set for van den Berg during his departure. Brentford met the valuation, but many—including the player himself—would be surprised if City were willing to meet such demands so soon after his transfer.

Unlikely but Intriguing

Despite the speculation, a move to Manchester City remains in the “probably not going to happen” category. The circumstances surrounding van den Berg’s departure from Liverpool and his current role at Brentford make the move seem improbable. However, if Guardiola’s interest is genuine, it could add another layer of drama to the Liverpool-Manchester City rivalry.

Should this transfer materialize, van den Berg would not be the first ex-Liverpool player to join City, following in the footsteps of veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson. While such a move would undoubtedly shock fans, it also highlights the unpredictable nature of football transfers and the intense competition between these two Premier League giants.

For now, the rumor remains just that—a rumor—but it is a testament to the ever-evolving narrative of the Liverpool-Manchester City rivalry.