Published: 02:00, 17 January 2026 | Updated: 02:00, 17 January 2026

'Aqui, aqui' came the order from the manager as he loudly summoned Darwin Nunez over in Spanish.

A kiss on the cheek, a pat on the bum and a tactical debrief later, the Uruguayan was back on his way with a beaming smile and soon he was charging around the Anfield pitch in his usual style – like a golden retriever chasing a bouncing ball.

The manager was Johnny Heitinga, leading Liverpool that day as Arne Slot and fellow assistant Sipke Hulshoff were both suspended for letting tempers get the better of them in a Merseyside derby that descended into chaos the week before.

And this episode was just one of many that highlight how Heitinga, who this week joined Thomas Frank’s backroom team at Tottenham on a two-and-a-half-year deal, quickly finds a friendly relationship with all players. Down with the kids, some may say.

Indeed, ask any Liverpool player and they only have good things to say about the 42-year-old coach, who worked under Slot and was credited with playing a major...