Old tweet from Liverpool stand-in boss emerges ahead of crucial Newcastle clash – with Reds coach set to step into the dugout after Arne Slot’s ban
An old tweet from Johnny Heitinga has gone viral after the Liverpool coach previously claimed that is ‘always a blue’.
Heitinga will lead Liverpool for their clash against Newcastle on Wednesday after both Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were handed two-match touchline bans.
Slot and Hulshoff were charged by the Football Association in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw and alleged of improper conduct and/or use of foul language towards the referee Michael Oliver.
The pair were shown red cards for their protests at the end of the match which saw a brawl break out among players. Players Curtis Jones and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure were sent off for their part in the scrap.
With the ferocity of the Merseyside derby fresh in the mind, Liverpool fans have voiced their disdain with Heitinga after uncovering an old tweet by the Dutchman.
Back in 2019, Heitinga wrote: ‘Once a Blue always a blue’.
Johnny Heitinga (middle) will take charge of Liverpool’s match after Arne Slot’s (left) red
Heitinga, pictured at Ajax, played 140 times for rivals Everton during his career
Heitinga played 140 times for Everton in his career, as well as stints at the likes of Ajax and Atletico Madrid. Since retiring, he has coached at the Amsterdam club and West Ham.
A Liverpool fan page sarcastically quoted the post, with the caption: ‘Our Gaffa tonight’.
Heitinga’s links between both Merseyside clubs stretches beyond the football pitch, however, with the former Everton defender now married to the sister of an ex-Liverpool star.
Back in 2010, Heitinga married the sister, Charlotte-Sophie, of former Liverpool player Boudewijn Zenden.
In a previous interview, Zenden – who made 23 appearances for the Reds – revealed the nature of how Heitinga met his sister.
He said: ‘How did it come about? I don’t remember whether he asked for my sister’s number or my sister asked for his number.
‘I guess the only thing I really said to him was, ‘you’d better be good to my sister!’
Both Liverpool and Everton were charged for failure to control their players after the raucous scenes that ensued after the Merseyside derby.
Fans uncovered an old post from Heitinga where he claimed ‘once a Blue always a Blue’
Heitinga is also married to the sister, Charlotte-Sophie, of ex-Liverpool star Boudewijn Zenden
Premier League leaders Liverpool accepted the charge last week and chose not to argue it, which worked in their favour with the FA when they handed down their punishment.
Slot has already been banned from the dugout in one game this season, away at Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Liverpool won that match and Slot watched from the back of the press box, sitting alongside analyst Roderick van der Ham.
As Slot has already seen one touchline ban this season, the FA viewed his case as a ‘non-standard’ case. A standard case has a set group of sanctions whereas a non-standard incident is at the FA’s discretion to rule over, especially given Liverpool accepted the charge.
Slot has also been fined £70,000 and Hulshoff £7,000. Everton and Liverpool have both been fined £65,000 and £50,000 respectively for failure to control their players.
