Schalke are set to land Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg on-loan.

The Liverpool Echo says Schalke have won the race for the Dutch youngster.

Van den Berg has been the subject of interest from plenty of clubs across the summer after an impressive showing with Preston North End last term where he made 50 appearances in all competitions.

Championship side Blackburn Rovers have been keeping up to date on developments, while the recently-relegated Burnley were also keen on the Dutch defender.

With injuries to Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate at centre-half, however, Jurgen Klopp has been wary of sanctioning a departure too soon with Van den Berg named on the bench of all four of the Reds' Premier League games so far this term.

With Matip now ready to give Klopp more options at centre-back, Liverpool are happy to green light a loan switch for Van den Berg.