sport news Sepp van den Berg has clocked a speed of almost 35kmh, earned rave reviews on ... trends now
Whatever happens at Liverpool in this time of tears and turbulence and mud-slinging towards strikers, don't forget this - they should upgrade their defence.
Sir Alex Ferguson's old adage says that your defence wins you titles, and while Liverpool's back-line has been good this season, it hasn't been imperious.
With 36 goals conceded in 35 games, the Reds lag behind the superior records of Arsenal (28) and Manchester City (32), and the table reflects that.
Losing Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold to injuries has been a mitigating factor, as has losing Fabinho - that eternal midfield shield - to the clutches of Saudi cash. Matip, immobilised and out of contract this summer, is likely to depart.
Jarell Quansah has stepped in well, but his pairing with Virgil van Dijk does not yet equate to a Gabriel-William Saliba level of solidity.
Could Sepp van den Berg, on loan at Mainz, be the answer to Liverpool's defensive issues?
He is ranked among Europe's top young defenders and has played the most minutes for Mainz
So, what to do? Splash the cash? Well, some think could have an oven-ready option to step up in Sepp van den Berg.
Perennially farmed out on loan, the 22-year-old has wooed admirers with good performances at Mainz in the Bundesliga this season.
He is rated as the best under-23 centre-back in Europe's top five leagues by WhoScored.com - you'll never sing that. Van den Berg will be telling his grandchildren about it.
Could he really be the answer, a panacea hidden in the 'send on loan' list?
In Mail Sport's estimation, the Dutchman should play some role at Liverpool next season, but it's a risk to count him as an instant upgrade. Here's why.
Why he deserves a chanceOne of the main things Van den Berg has going for him is his pace - and how that fits Liverpool's needs.
This season, he has clocked a top speed of 34.78kmh with Mainz, faster than any other Liverpool centre-back.
Ibrahima Konate's recovery pace is a big asset to Liverpool and adding somebody who can improve on that is a plus.
Van den Berg is faster than Liverpool's other defenders, good in the air, and a decent passer
Joel Matip could leave Liverpool in the summer as his contract is expiring and he has spent most of this season injured
It's particularly relevant to Liverpool because of the high line they play.
According to Opta, the average start position of Liverpool's attacks - how high the defence is when they recover the ball - is 44.6 metres, the third-highest in the league.
It's a high-risk, high-reward strategy, and it's unlikely to change under Arne Slot, who looks destined to be their next boss.
Slot's two idols are Klopp and Guardiola and he is known as a slightly gung-ho attacker, so we can expect Liverpool's gambles to continue.
A potentially pivotal factor in Van den Berg's future is the fact that he and Slot were at PEC Zwolle's academy at the same time.
It is unclear if they crossed paths, but a teenage Van den Berg was in the Dutch club's set-up at the same time Slot began his coaching career.
Regarding his other attributes, he is also a good last-ditch defender. He is in the top 10 per cent of Bundesliga defenders for blocks, clearances, and aerial duels won.
In fact, only Heidenheim's Tim Kleindienst has won more battles up high than Van den Berg, who stands at six foot, three feet tall. He has chipped in with a couple of headed goals.
Van den Berg gained experience playing as a wing-back at Preston and won over fans
Preston had him back for a second season and he received praise for his maturity
He is fifth in total duels won in the Bundesliga with 348.
His passing accuracy is 87.55 per cent, higher than Liverpool's current average, though it's good to be cautious about placing too much value on that.
Clearly he is good at retaining possession, but can he hit a cross-field ball that the likes of
