The agent of John Heitinga has confirmed the Liverpool first-team assistant coach will stay at Anfield for the rest of the season amid interest from West Bromwich Albion. Heitinga, a former Everton defender, moved to the Reds during the summer as part of new head coach Arne Slot's backroom staff.

Heitinga had previously been manager at Ajax and most recently was part of the coaching set-up of his former Everton boss David Moyes at West Ham United.

And that track record and his impact at Liverpool - who are six points clear at the Premier League summit, top of the Champions League and into the League Cup semi-finals - has made him a target for Championship side West Brom.

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The Midlanders, who are seeking promotion back to the Premier League, have been without a manager since Carlos Corberan took over at La Liga side Valencia just before Christmas.

But their attempt to lure Heitinga to the Hawthorns appears doomed to failure with the Dutchman's agent, Rob Jansen, quoted in De Telegraaf as saying: "John will definitely stay at Liverpool this season."