Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg is happy after his first weeks at loan club Schalke.

Van den Berg explained why he chose to make the switch to Germany this season.

He told Elf Voetbal: "The club made inquiries a year and a half ago. That's when I chose Preston North End.

"I rate the Bundesliga one step higher and Schalke 04 is of course a people's club in every respect."

Schalke weren't the only club to seek the services of the 20-year-old Liverpool centre-back.

"I spoke to Burnley," continues van den Berg, "but I still wanted to take a step up. The Bundesliga was my preference."