Liverpool confirm new staff appointment as Thiago Alcantara handed new role after Anfield exit

Latest Liverpool news and gossip with the Reds confirming a new staff appointment plus Thiago Alcantara is awarded a new role weeks after leaving Anfield

Liverpool are now just a month away from the start of their next Premier League campaign. The Reds will begin their season away at Ipswich Town on August 17 at Portman Road.

The game will mark the first competitive fixture of the Arne Slot era at Liverpool after he was confirmed as the club's new head coach earlier this summer. The 45-year-old is currently taking charge of pre-season training at the AXA Training Centre and will be looking to follow in Jurgen Klopp's footsteps and bring success to the club.

The summer transfer window is in full swing and Liverpool are being linked with a host of potential new signings. However, no new players have been added to Slot's squad but there is still time for that to change before the September 2 deadline.

With Liverpool continuing to make headlines ahead of the new season, the ECHO has taken a look at some of the latest stories doing the rounds in the last 24 hours.

Liverpool confirm new staff appointment

Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of John Heitinga as a new member of Slot's backroom staff. Heitinga will take on the role of assistant coach at Anfield, joining Sipke Hulshoff, Fabio Otte and Ruben Peeters who have made the switch to Anfield.

Heitinga may be well known on Merseyside from his playing career, having made 140 appearances for Everton across four-and-a-half years at Goodison Park. The 40-year-old was recently alongside David Moyes at West Ham where he worked as an assistant coach for the Hammers, and will now be part of Slot's backroom staff at Liverpool.

Thiago joins Barcelona after Anfield exit

Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has taken up a new role at Barcelona after leaving Anfield. The ex-midfielder announced his retirement earlier this month after his contract with the Reds came to an end.

Thiago will work as part of new Barcelona manager Hansi Flick's backroom staff this summer as he trains to become a coach. The 33-year-old previously worked alongside Flick during his time as a player at Bayern Munich.