Everton hero savages Toffees at Liverpool training with brutal put down

Three games, three defeats, 10 goals and bottom of the table. Everton’s start to the season is no laughing matter for their fans — but that’s not how one of their former players sees it.

Johnny Heitinga played 140 times for the Toffees between 2009 and 2014 and the Netherlands defender was a firm favourite with fans at Goodison Park.

But Heitinga is back on Merseyside this season as an assistant coach to new Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

That alone is probably enough to sully his name with Evertonians but a viral clip from Liverpool’s training footage this week might have trampled on any remaining affections.

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The clip showed Darwin Nunez taking part in a shooting drill using training mannequins.

“It’s like Everton’s defence,” a chuckling Heitinga quipped.

Johnny Heitinga coaching career

After finishing his playing career with boyhood club Ajax, Heitinga began coaching in the Amsterdam club’s famed youth categories.

He took charge of the first team in January 2023, steadying the ship after a dreadful first half of the 2022/23 campaign.

Heitinga was then reunited with former Everton boss David Moyes on West Ham’s staff last season. Moyes’ departure from the London Stadium at the end of the campaign cleared the way for him to join up with compatriot Slot at Liverpool.

When is the Merseyside derby?

Heitinga can expect a frosty reception when Everton entertain Liverpool in what might be the last Goodison Park derby on December 7.

The Toffees make the short trip across Stanley Park to Anfield on April 2.