The INJUSTICE that led Liverpool to strike title-winning gold

Liverpool conducted a complete backroom overhaul last summer after Jurgen Klopp parted ways with the club. Several of Klopp’s staff also took their leave, meaning club bosses had to assemble a new coaching team around Arne Slot.

The Dutchman brought plenty of his own men to Anfield - including assistant Sipke Hulshoff - but there was also an intriguing appointment from outside Slot’s Feyenoord circle.

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John Heitinga was an eyebrow-raising appointment, considering his previous history as a player with Everton. The ex-Dutch international had been on the staff of David Moyes at West Ham but was available following the Scot’s East London departure.

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Liverpool wasted no time in adding the highly-rated Heitinga, a move that has since gone down well with the Reds’ players.

Heitinga, 41, will probably end up as a No1 coach in his own right someday with West Brom reportedly among the teams seeking to add him to the ranks earlier this season.

Heitinga appointed by Ajax

The former defender has actually already had a spell in charge of a first team - taking over as Ajax’s interim option following the dismissal of Alfred Schreuder in January 2023.

The Eredivisie giants opted not to prolong Heitinga’s tenure the following summer with the job going to Maurice Steijn instead.

His spell proved to be a disaster, winning only two of his 11 matches, and now one ex-Ajax player who featured under Heitinga claims the Amsterdam side really ought to have kept him on.

Ajax did Heitinga an INJUSTICE

"A truly top coach,” said Al Ittihad forward Steven Bergwijn the CONVO Talkshow. “I liked his interactions, but also his field training.

"He always had a good plan, man. I do think Ajax did him an injustice.

“I think we should have continued with him.

"A really good trainer, he's not at Liverpool for nothing."

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Heitinga could well have thrived in building an Ajax dynasty and their erroneous decision to dispense with his services has been Liverpool - and Arne Slot’s - gain.