Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool has been nothing short of a triumph. The Dutch manager has led the Reds to an impressive start in the Premier League, positioning them second in the table and garnering widespread praise.
However, Slot’s decision-making hasn’t been without a degree of boldness, as shown when he appointed former Everton defender John Heitinga as an assistant coach.
The rivalry between Liverpool and Everton is fierce, with players and staff rarely welcomed by fans after crossing Stanley Park.
Everton supporters were notably outraged when Rafa Benitez, a Liverpool legend, took charge at Goodison Park a few years ago, so there was some initial concern that Heitinga’s Everton ties might provoke backlash from Liverpool fans.
Slot recently discussed his choice on Liverpool’s official YouTube channel, revealing that the only caution he received about hiring Heitinga was regarding Everton fans’ potential discontent, rather than any issues from Liverpool’s own supporters.
Arne Slot Told He Could Upset Everton Fans:
Reflecting on his decision to bring Heitinga into his team, Slot recalled the advice he received after proposing the idea.
“Did you know John Heitinga played for Everton?” Slot was asked. He confirmed that he was aware and had even consulted others about potential problems with the move.
“Yes, I knew,” Slot replied.
“To be fair, I did ask around here, ‘Would this be a problem?’ And the reaction was that the only problem could be for himself because of the legacy he had at Everton.
“I don’t think the Everton fans really like seeing him over here, but I don’t know exactly. What I do know is that he’s young but a very talented manager.”
How Highly is Heitinga Rated?
Although bringing a former Everton player into Liverpool’s ranks might be seen as a risk, Slot evidently believes that Heitinga’s talent and potential outweigh any concerns over his past affiliations.
David Lynch, a journalist with insights into Liverpool’s inner workings, emphasised the high regard in which Heitinga is held within the club.
“You speak to anyone at Liverpool and the message comes back that he’s (Heitinga) very highly rated. Anyone who speaks about him in football speaks about a guy who is pretty smart, he’s got a good coaching background and a real clear idea of how he likes to play football as well,” Lynch said.
Heitinga is far from the first Liverpool figure with ties to Everton; in fact, some of the Reds’ most iconic names have connections to the Toffees.
Heitinga is simply the latest to cross the Merseyside divide—a decision that’s often controversial, yet one Slot seems unbothered by, even if it stirs emotions at Goodison Park.
With Liverpool and Everton set to clash next month, all eyes will be on Heitinga to see if he receives any particular reaction from the Everton faithful upon his return to Goodison Park.