John Heitinga has chance to prove Arne Slot right about him as he takes charge of Liverpool v Wolves

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After dropping points in Wednesday’s Merseyside Derby, Liverpool must pick themselves up for a clash against Wolves on Sunday.

The Reds are in the midst of a punishing run of games, with fixtures against Wolves, Aston Villa, Man City and Newcastle United all to come in the next two weeks.

By the end of those four matches, Liverpool should have a good idea of whether or not they’ll be crowned Premier League champions in May.

Away games at Villa and City and an Anfield meeting with Newcastle have the potential to derail Arne Slot’s team in their title push.

But before that, it’s vital that Liverpool follow the 2-2 draw at Everton with three points against relegation-threatened Wolves.

Unfortunately for the Reds, they’ll have to do it without Slot on the touchline. The Liverpool head coach was sent off against Everton and after assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff was dismissed as well, John Heitinga now has the chance to lead Liverpool out at Anfield.

Liverpool in good hands with John Heitinga

Wednesday must have been a big day for Heitinga. Having spent five years as an Everton player during his career, he too will have been saying goodbye to Goodison Park.

Given his Toffees past, the 40-year-old was a surprise appointment to the Liverpool coaching staff over the summer.

Nevertheless, based on ability alone, Heitinga clearly warrants a place on Slot’s team. The Reds’ boss praised Heitinga back in December, predicting a future as a head coach for the former defender.

“John Heitinga is now here with me for the first half season and I couldn’t have wished for more,” Slot said.

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“Very, if I say talented, I do not even rate him high enough because he’s more than that already, he’s been a head coach himself but he’s still young.”

Heitinga was linked with the vacant West Brom job later that month, but chose to stay and gain further experience at Liverpool. As he continues on that journey, Sunday should give a glimpse into what can be expected from the Dutchman as a main man.

Mohammed Kudus raves about John Heitinga

As well as Slot, Heitinga clearly has a big fan in West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus. Heitinga managed Kudus while in temporary charge at Ajax in 2023 and later reunited with the Ghanaian as West Ham assistant last season.

And given Kudus’ comments on Heitinga, Liverpool fans should be rest assured that they are in good hands for Sunday’s game.

“I felt very good under Heitinga. He is the best coach I have had at Ajax,” the 24-year-old told Voetbal Primeur in 2024.

“Apart from the training aspect, I also hold him in high regard in terms of standards and values. Personally, I would have liked to have worked with him longer. He is a top trainer and I really appreciated his efforts to make the players better at the time.”

It may only be for one game, but Liverpool fans are about to get a glimpse into that this weekend. All the best, Johnny!