Johnny Heitinga has confirmed he is in talks over potentially joining Liverpool.
The former defender spent a five-year spell on Merseyside with Everton, during which he was crowned the club’s Player of the Season for 2011/12.
Since retiring, Heitinga undertook a series of coaching roles including as caretaker of his old club Ajax and a coach in David Moyes’ West Ham ranks.
But the 40-year-old is surprise candidate for Arne Slot’s new-look backroom staff, with the Reds’ head coach hinting further appointments were imminent.
Heitinga confirmed to media in his native Netherlands on Monday that discussions were taking place about a potential move into the Anfield setup.
“I’m in talks with Liverpool,” he told De Telegraaf.
“All I can say now is that I have been approached and that my agent Rob Jansen and I are in discussions.”
Liverpool, meanwhile, will appoint former Manchester City analyst Aaron Briggs as their new elite development coach, filling the role left by Vitor Matos’ departure.
The 37-year-old spent nine years at the Etihad Stadium in addition to serving as an assistant to Niko Kovac at Wolfsburg and a broad range of roles with Monaco.
He becomes the fourth addition of Slot’s backroom alongside assistant Sipke Hulshoff, performance coach Ruben Peeters and goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte.