Sander Westerveld has insisted that Liverpool should not consider club legend Steven Gerrard as a replacement for assistant coach John Heitinga, who recently took up the role of Ajax head coach— because there is another ideal candidate for the role.

Liverpool is currently on the hunt for a new assistant to replace the former Everton defender.

Despite rumors linking him with a return to Rangers, where he previously managed, Gerrard withdrew his candidacy before former Southampton boss Russell Martin was then appointed.

Westerveld, who played alongside Gerrard at Anfield for two and a half seasons, including during the Reds' treble-winning 2000/01 campaign, is also a friend of current Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, having been teammates together at Sparta Rotterdam.

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Despite there being no current talk of Gerrard being considered to succeed Heitinga, Westerveld has advised Liverpool to bypass their former skipper when adding to Slot's coaching staff.

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and assistant coach John Heitinga.

Instead, he suggests that Liverpool should bring Pusic back into the fold, who has previously worked as Slot's assistant at both AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.

Speaking to FC Update about the pecking order for the manager's spot, Westerveld said: "I think that at the moment, with all due respect, Arne is number one and Sipke is number two.

"Slot will never say that, he will say that they are all one team

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Pusic is now on the market after parting ways with Shakhtar Donetsk as manager, having achieved significant success including the domestic double in the 2023/24 season and adding this season's Ukrainian Cup to his accolades.

He made the move to Shakhtar after leaving Feyenoord in October 2023, and had previously managed FC Twente before working as an assistant to Arne Slot at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.

Liverpool.com says: Getting the right person in will be vital for the next phase under Slot
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