Former Everton star confirms talks over Liverpool move

Former Everton defender John Heitinga has confirmed he is in talks with Liverpool over joining Arne Slot's new look coaching team at Anfield.

Slot is looking to build his backroom staff and confirmed in his first press conference as Liverpool manager that he was expecting two more hirings to be made before the start of the season.

It appears as though one of those is Heitinga, who told De Telegraaf that he had been approached by Liverpool.

"I'm in talks with Liverpool," the former centre-back revealed. "All I can say now is that I have been approached and that my agent Rob Jansen and I are in discussions."

Heitinga, who made 140 appearances for Everton between 2009 and 2014, retired in 2016 and, after spending time working in Ajax's youth setup, was David Moyes' assistant manager at West Ham United last season.

Moyes was in charge at Everton when Heitinga joined and led the Dutch international in six games against Liverpool. Heitinga managed a record of one win, one draw and four losses against the Reds.

Slot gave an insight into his new coaching staff during his first meeting with the press.

"I think what has been announced already is Sipke Hulshoff [as assistant manager], who I've already worked with at Feyenoord and our former club Cambuur.

"Goalkeeping coach [Fabian Otte] has been announced, I haven't worked with him but we've spoken to him and are really happy he's going to join our team.

"We're expecting two others to join. A couple more announcements in the near future."

Coaches Pep Lijnders, Vitor Matos and John Achterberg all left Liverpool at the end of last season when Jurgen Klopp stepped down after nine years in charge.

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