On-loan defender Sepp van den Berg is hoping he can feature in Preston North End’s Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, as he awaits permission from his parent club.
The 19-year-old, who is currently in his second loan deal at Deepdale from the Reds, was unsurprisingly asking the all-important question – whether he can play – once the draw had been made.
PNE have been in touch with their fourth round opponents about his eligibility and Sepp remains hopeful he will be able to play when Jurgen Klopp brings his side to Lancashire on Wednesday 27th October.
Asked about his reaction to the draw, Sepp said: “I had mixed feelings. To be fair I was just happy to play a big team in the next round but then again I know it’s Liverpool so it’s still my club.
“I already knew beforehand if it was Liverpool I might have trouble playing wise, but just seeing everyone’s reaction in the club and the fans, you can see it’s a very big game for everyone here so it’s a great opponent to play.
“If everyone is able to play in that game it’s really good. They’re still one of the best teams in the world so for the club to play against them in the cup is just unbelievable, so I’m really hoping I’m allowed to play, but I still don’t know.”
Sepp spoke to the matchday programme, The One And Only, earlier this week in more detail about the Liverpool tie, and you can buy your copy of that here.
Back to league action, though, and the Dutchman has a trip to Queens Park Rangers coming up this weekend as PNE go in search of a tenth game without defeat and a first win in six.
Head coach Frankie McAvoy spoke pre-match about Mark Warburton’s side being similar to Tuesday night’s opponents Stoke City, who left Deepdale with a point.
Sepp added: “Against Stoke I think they were pretty good, they played really well so I think a point against them we should be happy with that.
“But the games before I was very frustrated to be fair not getting the three points, not punishing by finishing our chances, but again it’s another chance on the weekend and I feel if we get this win we go with a good feeling into the international break.
“I think after the international break we have some big games coming up so it’s another game to show everyone what we can do and hopefully get the three points.
“To be fair since joining every game has been tough! It’s good, Stoke matched us system wise so I think that’s good, but we now know how Stoke played and what they are about so I think that’s prepared us well for the QPR game and hopefully we can get the win there.”
Away from club matters, Sepp will be hoping to join up with the Netherlands U21 team during the upcoming break, with their squad expected to be announced on Friday.
Sepp said: “It’s always nice to be part of the team again. I was there last time so I’m hoping to be involved again.
“We have two games now [against Switzerland and Wales] so a bit more busy, what I like, so I’m really looking forward to being there again so hopefully I’m in the squad.”
Hear more from Sepp in his full interview on iFollow PNE at the top of the page.