John Heitinga has been a key contributor to Liverpool’s much-improved defence this time period, as columnist Mo Stewart has noticed up shut, and the previous Evertonian will likely be hoping to heap extra distress on those that as soon as cheered him.
The final ever Goodison Merseyside derby didn’t want any further spice.
It already represents the primary such event for brand spanking new head coach Arne Slot, and the possibility to avenge a outcome and efficiency that was the nadir of final season’s collapse, from pole place within the title race in April to annoyed bystanders of one other Manchester Metropolis parade come Could.
Nonetheless, the temperature was elevated by the Dutchman’s choice to nominate a fellow countryman to his teaching workers – a person he hadn’t labored with earlier than however is aware of this metropolis and this fixture very effectively.
John Heitinga tasted victory and defeat in four-and-a-half years as an Everton participant.
His aggressive, all-action type at centre-back or in midfield made him a goal for referees however a favorite for followers and supervisor David Moyes, a part of the final nice Everton facet that persistently knocked on the door of the highest 4.
Now the 41-year-old hopes to play a key half of their downfall, as he has in Liverpool’s inexorable rise to the highest of the Premier League and Champions League.
Pushed and detail-oriented
Eyebrows could have raised when Slot introduced him to Kirkby, however in line with creator and host of the Blue Room podcast David Downie, these on the blue facet had been much less shocked:
“You may simply see him take that step into teaching. He was all about management and organising the again 4 and set-pieces, regardless of by no means being the captain with us.
“From the whole lot I noticed on and off the pitch, he has the whole lot you’d need in your facet.”
My privileged place inside the press pack permits me to watch Heitinga in motion, on the coaching pitch and in pre-match preparations.
The conclusion is that Liverpool have a pushed, detail-oriented coach who maximises his expertise via perspective and utility and requires the identical from everybody else within the constructing.
He utilised these qualities as a participant, incomes 87 caps for the Netherlands and a beginning place in a World Cup ultimate.
One main change since then is his temperament. The new-headed nature that noticed him despatched off in that ultimate has mellowed, and Heitinga now exudes an identical stage of calm to the remainder of Slot’s teaching workforce, who seem like a tight-knit unit.
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Slot carried out due diligence on Heitinga’s Everton allegiances to keep up that unity, as he advised former teammate Sander Westerveld.
He would be the brother-in-law of ex-Liverpool winger Bolo Zenden, however it was a viral clip of a capturing drill with Darwin Nunez that confirmed his loyalties.
Making Everton a punchline will endear him to Liverpool followers, however his work with the gamers will likely be the place he makes his mark.
Observes each little element
Observing him earlier than kick-off towards Manchester Metropolis, it was evident why the defence has improved collectively and individually.
Centre-back was Heitinga’s place, and so they drew most of his consideration. He was in full management of the passing drills, offering the wall for Joe Gomez earlier than the massive swap in direction of Virgil van Dijk on the far facet.
The subsequent take a look at was heading, paying explicit consideration to footwork, spring and distance.
There wasn’t the barrage of vocal encouragement you see with many coaches, only a eager eye that allow the gamers know he’s observing each element.
It was an identical story directing visitors in the course of the rondos. Typically characterised as a little bit of enjoyable, Heitinga gave every motion 100% focus, crouching down to look at each contact, each feint, as if logging important info to move on when the time is correct.
Messages are relayed in a collection of one-to-ones, an indicator of his strategy. Not one to ship a protracted sermon, Heitinga’s chats are brief, sharp and exact, delivered with emphasis and fervour.
Like all the finest coaches, he seems to have eyes behind his head – discovering time to ship messages to Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai after casting greater than an off-the-cuff eye within the route of the opponents.
Watching the opposition practice was a staple of Jurgen Klopp‘s pre-match routine, however elsewhere the brand new regime has tailored the German’s usually holistic strategy into one thing extra particular.
Whereas it’s clear that Klopp’s strategies labored, the gamers are responding to the thorough private teaching of Slot and his workforce.
Precept amongst them is Trent Alexander-Arnold, a frequent recipient of Heitinga’s fast chats. His one-on-one defending has improved massively, extra usually within the good place reasonably than chasing again, capable of finding the right second to choose the attacker’s pocket.
Ought to the vice-captain be as profitable towards Dwight McNeil on Saturday lunchtime, don’t be shocked to see Heitinga provide a celebratory fist pump, one thing that Downie is dreading:
“I don’t maintain a grudge over a former Blue working throughout the park…he’ll be given the standard remedy opposing gamers or workers get in any derby.
“However it should wreck my head if you’ve scored and Slot hugs all of his minions on the touchline as he appears to do. Can’t be doing with Johnny giving it out then.”
From wrecking ankles in blue to wrecking heads in crimson, Heitinga’s transition throughout Stanley Park has been an underrated aspect of Slot’s success story.
And but, if they will take three factors from Goodison one final time, Liverpool’s diligent double agent received’t have the ability to keep away from the highlight.
You may observe Mo Stewart on X, @The_Mighty_Mojo, and tune into his YouTube channel right here.
