The 19-year-old joined the Reds from PEC Zwolle in 2019, but will now line up against them in the Carabao Cup fourth round at Deepdale

At around 3.30pm on Sunday, the Preston North End players’ WhatsApp group was buzzing.

“Mane on the bench,” read the first message. “Best get ready for a tough one on Wednesday, Sepp!”

Footballers tend not to miss a trick, and those Preston lads had certainly noticed Liverpool’s starting line-up at Old Trafford, and in particular the omission of Sadio Mane.

Significant, perhaps, with a trip to Deepdale next on the Reds’ agenda?

The Sepp in the above message, of course, is Sepp van den Berg, the Liverpool defender who is on a season-long loan at Preston.

The Netherlands Under-21 international will be allowed to play against his parent club in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie, Jurgen Klopp having given him special permission.

“If you want to be a chef, you have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen!” Reds assistant boss Pep Lijnders said on Tuesday. “Of course Sepp should play.”

And in an exclusive interview with Goal , Van den Berg, who is likely to start at right wing-back for the Championship outfit - hence the Mane message - reveals he is more than a little excited about the prospect.