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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and assistant coach John Heitinga(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool have already started the process of recruiting a new assistant coach after confirming John Heitinga is leaving to take over as boss of Ajax.

Heitinga was appointed last summer by new Reds boss Arne Slot and became a key figure in the backroom staff as Liverpool romped to a record-equalling 20th championship.

Ajax were looking for a new boss after Francesco Farioli stepped down following his team's dramatic collapse that saw them surrender a nine-point lead in the final five games to lose the Eredivise title to PSV Eindhoven.

And Heitinga, who was previously interim manager at Ajax during the first half of 2023 and began his career there as a player, will now assume the role of head coach at the Dutch side.

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Slot was asked last week about suggestions Ajax were considering a move for Heitinga, and said: "If Ajax would be smart, they would consider him.

If John is smart, he would stay one more season."

Liverpool will now consider their alternatives as they look to recruit a new assistant coach to Slot ahead of the squad reconvening for pre-season in early July, with a number of names expected to be in the frame.

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Marino Pusic was assistant to Slot at both AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord and is available after this month leaving his post as Shakhtar Donetsk manager having won the domestic double in 2023/24 and the Ukrainian Cup this season.

And Etienne Reijnen, the current Feyenoord assistant coach, had initially been slated to join Slot at Anfield last summer until the move was scuppered due to work permit issues.