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. Etienne Reijnen, Marino Pusic and ex-Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt are all among those said to be under consideration for the vacancy.

Gerrard, a Reds icon who coached the Liverpool U18s in the 2017/18 season, has been out of work since stepping down as Al Ettifaq manager in January 2025, departing the Saudi Pro League outfit after just under two years.

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.

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.

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

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. But then of course with Gerrard you have a name within the group that travels around the world, but perhaps also unintentionally attracts too much attention."

On the subject of Feyenoord's coaching set-up, he added confidently: "When I saw how Slot and Pusic worked together at Feyenoord, I think he is the perfect candidate. But I don't have to tell him that, he will decide that for himself."

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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. Heitinga was a big part of the coaching staff, though it was always possible that he could move on given his ambitions to become the main man somewhere.

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First, it looked like Bayern Munich was the favorite for Florian Wirtz. Then Manchester City dropped out of the race. Now, Liverpool is the clear leader to snap up the Germany playmaker for a potentially record-breaking fee.

If Wirtz moves to Liverpool then the Reds will comfortably break their own existing transfer record for the 22-year-old. An agreement is likely to move ahead of Moises Caicedo as a British transfer record too.

What is the latest, though? A couple of weeks on from establishing contact with Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz, talks are ongoing for the mercurial talent, with such a big deal not an easy one to complete.

It is thought that the deal is still on track to be completed, and according to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen could reach an agreement in the coming days. The player, for his part, is seemingly sold on the switch.

Last weekend, Kicker claimed that Liverpool had made an offer worth as much as $147 million (£109 million) for Wirtz, but it was rejected. Leverkusen is said to want $170 million (£126 million) to let its star man leave, and a compromise therefore seems likely.

Germany will play a third-place play-off against France in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, a game in which Wirtz is expected to be involved, and things could accelerate after that.

Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz in action for Germany (Image: Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

A medical would be unlikely before that point anyway. Afterward, Wirtz would then head on holiday before moving to England ahead of pre-season, which is set to begin in the second week of July for Arne Slot's side — little over a month away.

According to the latest update from the German outlet BILD, Wirtz (assuming he avoids picking up an injury at the weekend) could become a Liverpool player next week. There remains complete confidence in his homeland that a deal will be done.

That is despite Wirtz's former club, FC Koln, believing it would be entitled to a portion of the fee. It had been suggested that this could delay matters given the sums of money involved.

"Of course, we are looking into it. We know what we are entitled to and will fight for it," Koln president Werner Wolf said on Radio Cologne. "We're looking at this with both eyes. We'll benefit from it. The higher the sum Liverpool is willing to pay, the better for us."

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Though a deal is not done yet, it appears that Wirtz will become a Liverpool player. If he does, Slot will be getting one of the best players in the world, still young enough to develop even further.

Elsewhere, it is understood that Liverpool is close to sealing a move for young goalkeeper Armin Pesci for a fee of around $2.0 million (£1.5 million). It is also keen on another Hungarian, Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez.

Slot is set to have a full summer with his players, which is a rare luxury. The Reds are not involved in the upcoming Club World Cup and there is no major international tournament this year either.

Liverpool will begin pre-season with a trip to Preston North End. The Reds will then head to Asia to take on AC Milan in Hong Kong and Yokohama Marinos in Japan.

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Former Liverpool elite development coach Vitor Matos, who was a key member of staff for a number of years when Jurgen Klopp was in charge at Anfield, is set to become the new manager of Portuguese outfit Maritimo.

Matos joined Liverpool in 2019 to take on the role of being the bridge between the academy and the first team in Kirkby. It was a position previously held by Pep Lijnders, who became Klopp's right-hand man.

But when Klopp left in 2024, all three moved on together, alongside the likes of goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, who moved to Saudi Arabia. Slowly, each has returned to work with different clubs.

Matos, who Fabrizio Romano reports is set to sign a two-year contract, was previously at FC Porto in Portugal. Maritimo, based on the island of Madeira, finished 12th out of 18 clubs in the second division last season, and will be Matos' first job as a head coach at senior level.

Klopp has taken on a role with the Red Bull group since leaving Liverpool, while Lijnders is set to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Lijnders and Matos were together at Red Bull Salzburg until December, when they parted ways with the Austrian side.

"What Arne Slot did is outstanding, because it is not easy to replace Jurgen," Matos told Training Ground Guru in March. "We tried to leave the club — and Jurgen left the club — in a really good moment.

Andreas Kornmayer, Vitor Matos, former manager Jurgen Klopp, Pep Lijnders and Jack Robinson of Liverpool after the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2024 (Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"The idea was to leave the club in a better position than when he arrived. The squad we left, we all had a feeling it was a squad ready to win titles.

"They have an unbelievable team in terms of togetherness. But it’s not easy to come to Liverpool, a big club, and replace Jurgen, someone who was so loved by everyone.

"What (Slot) has done is exceptional, of course. The game quality and, at the same time, being able to win consistently and that is the most important thing.

"I think the triggers are changing, regarding who starts the press and who follows. Some dynamics were already there in the past, some were new, in terms of the positioning of the full-backs or strikers and the 10 sometimes as well, and even defending a little bit differently in terms of where the press starts on the pitch.

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"Attacking-wise, there are sometimes different starting positions for the full-backs, sometimes they start in deeper lines or facing the game close to the center-backs. Not in all the games — there were different approaches in different games depending on dynamics.

"It’s not about being better or worse, but about doing things differently. This season they are having a lot of success, so this is good.

"The most important thing is that there is a clear idea, and this clear idea is possible to achieve with the squad he has and it is possible to have consistently good performance. That says a lot about Arne and a lot about the whole club on the moment as well."

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Liverpool could be set to sign another version of Philippe Coutinho this summer. That is according to the former Reds and England striker Emile Heskey.

Arne Slot's side won the Premier League title last season but is now keen to double down on its success. And it is currently in talks to snap up the Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in what would be a major statement of intent.

"When you look at a player, in general, you gravitate to players who you have already seen wear the red shirt, and for me, he looks a bit like Coutinho — those pockets he can pick up and how he can turn," Heskey told Liverpool.com. "He scores exciting goals — not just tap-ins — and that is what you want. It is fantastic for the club and for the supporters as well."

There has been some debate about whether Wirtz would be viewed as a number 10 or a false nine, with an obvious knock-on impact on what Liverpool might do in the market if his signature can be secured.

"He could play as a 10 or as a false nine, and we have seen teams do that before," Heskey said. "Liverpool have got wingers who stay very high and wide, which is great as well.

"Someone like Wirtz can give you something different, but it is horses for courses as well. You might need someone to draw defenders out, and then you don't need a number nine who sits on the last defender.

"You need players who make defenders think, 'Do I really want to go in there and mark him?'. Another number 10 would be helpful, and in that free role where he can pick up the ball, he seems very comfortable.

Liverpool continue to hold talks with Bayer Leverkusen in an attempt to sign Florian Wirtz this summer.

"It's brilliant that Liverpool can do business at £100 million plus. A lot of the time, clubs do business when it gets towards the end of the transfer window and everyone is flapping, but they have done their business, rather than getting into a full-on battle.

"It's a testament to Wirtz that he wants to challenge himself in another league — arguably the biggest league in the world. He's seen some of his fellow countrymen do it before, and it's great that he is coming to Liverpool.

"It's great that a manager has the pull. Generally, when you speak to managers as a player, they sell you a vision. They sell you the plan and the club, in the sense of where it is going.

"It is great that Arne Slot could do that and sell him the project. Everyone loves what Liverpool is, but this is what we want from you, and this is how it looks. If a manager is good enough at doing that, you're selling a vision to the player that he can see himself."

Wirtz scored for Germany midweek and will play in the third-place play-off in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday. If he does join Liverpool, pre-season will begin in the second week of July — by which time the Reds' roster could look a little different.

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"I'd keep Cody Gakpo because when you're playing that many games, you need a big squad," Heskey added. "His goals have been pivotal to Liverpool winning the league — you can't just rely on one player, Mo Salah.

"When he isn't scoring, who else is going to be there? Without Sadio Mane, without Roberto Firmino, Gakpo has to be given the opportunity to step up.

"Luis Diaz, I would like to see stay, but everyone has a value. What is the asking price? If it is a reasonable price — as in, you can go back into the market — he is 28 now as well.

"When you are looking at players and you bring them in at a certain age, you have a certain value. I think for Diaz, I think if you can get a decent return, it is something you have got to look at. I do like him — there are not many forwards who can run in behind.

"Darwin Nunez needs to play football. He won't play that much at Liverpool, so I think he'll be going. I like him because his work rate is immense and he never shirks that running and tackling.

"Defending starts up front, being intense. When you go, you go with intent. He has got a fantastic work ethic, but when you're up front for Liverpool, it is the goals that you score and create. He has fallen short of what was expected, and what was there before."

Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez celebrate with the Premier League trophy as Liverpool are crowned champions (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Whoever stays or comes in, the aim for Liverpool will be to win the league title again next season. But Heskey is expecting the race to be much closer next time around.

"I think both Arsenal and Manchester City can challenge next season, and I’d throw Chelsea in there as well," Heskey, speaking on behalf of Poker Scout, continued.

"Chelsea because I think you watch them play, and think they have something with that young core of players. The consistency isn’t there but if they get that, they can challenge.

"I think all four can challenge and it would be great to see that, rather than one team running away with it. It would be great to see a bit of a tussle and a fight.

"Man City are going through a bit of a transition but I always believe they are going to be in there. I’m not sure if they will be, but it’s the Pep Guardiola effect. They have to change a lot of things and next season they will hope to not have as many injuries, like they did.

"Arsenal had a really good season but they drew too many games. They don’t have an established forward and they need to go into the market for that, but Mikel Arteta has built something that is ready to really challenge.

"They are there or thereabouts and they will look at it, especially with the injuries they had, and saying ‘next season will be our season’. Everyone will be saying that, which is great for the league as well. I think it will be a close tussle."

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Liverpool isn't messing around so far this summer. Jeremie Frimpong has already been snapped up after his release clause was triggered, while Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez could be next.

Having won the Premier League title last season, Liverpool wants to double down on that success and go again in 2025/26. And as well as getting its business done early, it will also have the advantage of a full summer that isn't disrupted by the Club World Cup or any major international tournament.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. We start with one player who won't be signing for Arne Slot this summer.

Rayan Cherki (Lyon)

Liverpool head coach Slot spoke with Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki about a possible switch to Anfield, but the Reds have decided to go with Bayer Leverkusen and Germany star Florian Wirtz. The 21-year-old has decided to join Manchester City.

Said to be valued at somewhere between $39 million (£30 million) and $46 million (£34 million), Cherki will be considerably cheaper than Wirtz this summer. However, that has not deterred Liverpool.

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Cherki told L'Equipe in an interview this week that he is ready to leave Lyon. "I’m ready for any system. I work every day, physically and mentally, to be ready," Cherki said. "Above all, I’m trying to choose the best option for me, to develop as a person and a footballer."

Liverpool.com says: Cherki could be a snip for Manchester City but the bottom line is that he isn't as good as Wirtz. Even though the German is going to cost more, he will be worth it. Wirtz is a real game-changing addition; a future Ballon d'Or contender.

Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)

Labeled the 'next Erling Haaland', RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is of interest to Arsenal this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to add some quality to his side in the final third. But Liverpool could also supposedly enter the race, according to Ben Jacobs.

Alexander Isak was tipped to be someone both clubs chased but even before Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League, that always looked unlikely. And Atletico Madrid is desperate to keep hold of Julian Alvarez too.

Benjamin Sesko. (Image: Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

With those two perhaps off the table, there are not loads of other options for teams looking for a number nine. Sesko is one; Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, linked with Liverpool and Chelsea, is another.

Sporting CP's Victor Gyokeres might also fit into that category. Manchester United is also said to be in the running for him, where he could link back up with Ruben Amorim.

Liverpool.com says: Sesko is talented but a little raw. If he is going to cost around $91 million (£67 million), that sounds like quite a lot for someone who would be something of a project.

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Liverpool won the Premier League title by 10 points last season, but sporting director Richard Hughes has wasted no time in getting to work on some further improvements for Arne Slot.

The Reds have already brought in Jeremie Frimpong, and talks are ongoing for Florian Wirtz, a world-class talent who could see the British transfer record broken. Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez also appears to be a primary target.

It is less than a week since the Champions League final took place — the final fixture of the 2025/26 season. And though it is only 32 days until Liverpool returns for pre-season training, Liverpool is getting ahead of the game.

What else does it require, though, before the end of the summer? And what else might Slot and Hughes be aiming for in the market, both in terms of incomings and outgoings? Let's go department by department.

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Vitezslav Jaros.

With Caoimhin Kelleher having been sold to Brentford this week and Giorgi Mamardashvili having been signed ahead of time, Liverpool is in a good place in the goalkeeping area. No more work is required there.

Defenders: Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Milos Kerkez.

Thanks to a handy release clause, the capture of Frimpong for a relatively modest fee of around $39 million (£30 million) means that Liverpool has already made a step towards replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold. Conor Bradley will also help with that, of course.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during the final training session of the 2024/25 season. (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

In an ideal world, Milos Kerkez would arrive to bolster the ranks at left-back, which could see Kostas Tsimikas move on. And at center-back, having missed out on Dean Huijsen, who moved to Real Madrid, another elite option would be perfect.

That player would ideally be a long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk, though, so it can't just be anyone who comes in. Ibrahima Konate also needs to be tied down to a new contract.

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo, Florian Wirtz.

Wirtz could be viewed as either a midfielder or a forward (or most likely a bit of both). If he is to play in the forward line most often and Harvey Elliott is to move on in search of more regular minutes, then bringing in another midfield body would be wise.

Wataru Endo is happy to stay and play a minimal role while the main four midfielders from last season have their positions nailed down. Ryan Gravenberch, meanwhile, has alleviated the need to spend big on a number six.

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Tyler Morton should move on, while James McConnell, Liverpool.com reported this week, is drawing interest from elsewhere. Trey Nyoni is very talented, but is more likely to be one for the future than the immediate term.

Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, another pacy attacker.

If Wirtz is viewed as a forward, then he might be the replacement for Darwin Nunez, who continues to attract interest from Saudi Arabia. It would be logical for the Uruguayan to move on after three years on Merseyside.

If Wirtz is going to play in a more withdrawn role, however, then another attacking player would be a must. Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike has been linked, but at the suggested price tag of $109 million (£84 million), that doesn't seem like good value.

Liverpool continue to hold talks with Bayer Leverkusen in an attempt to sign Florian Wirtz this summer.

There might be decisions to make on some players — Federico Chiesa, for instance, hasn't been trusted so far — but Liverpool won't want too many changes at once. It also doesn't want to lose Luis Diaz.

The extent of the work required in the forward line essentially boils down to how Wirtz is viewed. And even if he is seen as a false nine, then Chiesa, given he has featured so little and this is a World Cup year, could still leave.

The number of incomings needed will depend on the outgoings. In a dream world, someone like Alexander Isak or Julian Alvarez would be available, but neither seems likely.

More realistically, some added pace and goal threat from somewhere should be sought. If that is Wirtz, then the focus can switch to another midfield body instead — where there might be more options on the market.

It should be an interesting period. There are at least two more players that should be priorities even after Wirtz and Kerkez (center-back and either midfield or attack), and that is before the third need — selling some stars — which could open up space for more signings. it's shaping up to be the most interesting Liverpool pre-season for some time.

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