Liverpool make ‘double or nothing’ transfer demand as Arne Slot eyes unlikely move for Everton hero
Liverpool are in store for an intriguing summer under new boss Arne Slot, who looks to be ramping up his recruitment plans at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s backroom staff will already be busy at work ahead of the new Liverpool season with three members already confirmed.
It looks as though the Dutchman has not finished assembling his coaching team, with a new face being targeted to join Sipke Hulshoff, Ruben Peeters and Fabian Otte in the Anfield dugout.
It meanwhile seems the existing coaching cohort have received a transfer offer for one of their defenders. It is uncertain who Slot will allow to leave this summer with the Dutchman just five weeks into his tenure, but one or two fringe players are being tipped to exit the club.
READ MORE: Liverpool 'set sights' on Andy Robertson replacement as emotional exit confirmed
READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool contract talks to ramp up as £26m deal pays off
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
Former Everton man in talks with Liverpool
Ex-Everton defender Johnny Heitinga has confirmed that he is in talks with Liverpool over becoming a backroom coach under Arne Slot. The former West Ham coach played 140 times for The Toffees and featured in five Merseyside derbies, winning just one of them.
“I’m in talks with Liverpool. All I can say now is that I have been approached and that my agent Rob Jansen and I are in discussions,” Heitinga told De Telegraaf.
The 40-year-old took charge of Ajax between January and June 2023, ending his 22-game tenure with a 64% win ratio. Former Everton boss David Moyes brought him to West Ham later that year, with Heitinga leaving the London Stadium alongside the Scot this summer.
Liverpool reject bid for Phillips
Liverpool are said to have turned down a £4m bid from Turkish club Trabzonspor for defender Nat Phillips, with the Reds wanting at least double that figure.
The Athletic claims Liverpool do not feel in any rush to sell the 27-year-old, whose last appearance for the club came in January 2023. Phillips spent the first half of last season out at Celtic before securing a January loan move to Cardiff for the rest of the season.
Phillips - who has 29 senior Liverpool appearances in all - previously enjoyed a loan spell at Bournemouth under Scott Parker, who has just been hired as Burnley’s new coach. He is expected to leave Anfield this summer with just one year left on his Reds contract.