Four of Liverpool’s most iconic shirt numbers could all be up for grabs in the summer as the Reds’ plot their biggest squad overhaul since 2018.
FSG sanctioned an £174.75m spending spree off the back of Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, as Jurgen Klopp brought in Alisson Becker, Naby Keita, Fabinho, and Xherdan Shaqiri. Such investment was rewarded by the Reds finishing the season as European champions, lifting their first trophy under the German in the process, and by forging their first title-challenge under his watch.
Since then, Liverpool have won every major trophy going after establishing themselves as one of the best sides in Europe. But off the back of very nearly landing an unprecedented quadruple last year, the Reds now find themselves in transition with their mentality monsters now an ageing squad.
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As a result, Liverpool are expected to be active in the transfer market, with a midfield revamp very much on the agenda after overhauling their attack over the past 12 months. And with a number of players poised to leave Anfield also, some of the Reds’ most iconic numbers could have new owners.
The number seven, eight, nine and ten jerseys are arguably the most famous in Anfield history, synonymous with the likes of Sir Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush, and John Barnes. Yet all four soon could be up for grabs.
Following Sadio Mane’s exit to Bayern Munich last summer, Liverpool’s number 10 shirt remains available. Meanwhile, James Milner, Naby Keita, and Roberto Firmino are all out of contract at the end of the season which could free up the number seven, eight, and nine shirts respectively.
As a result, we take a look at who could be donning four of the Reds’ most lauded shirt numbers in 2023/24…
SEVEN
Although now 37 years old, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that James Milner signs another new extension at Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp previously suggesting he would like the veteran to stay. He’s shown little sign of slowing down, after all. If he does extend his contract, he keeps the number seven shirt.
However, if Milner moves on, a number of current Reds could have their eye on it. Cody Gakpo has worn the number seven for the Netherlands in the past, while Luis Diaz donned the shirt for three seasons at FC Porto.
While Harvey Elliott only swapped number 67 for 19 last summer, he is a boyhood Liverpool fan and has voiced his love for the number in the past, with that admiration prompting him to choose his first Anfield squad number.
And while perhaps less likely, there’s something about a chaotic Uruguayan striker wearing the number seven shirt that just seems right, if Darwin Nunez fancied following in the footsteps of compatriot Luis Suarez.
EIGHT
As things stand, Naby Keita looks likely to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract though an Anfield stay hasn’t entirely been ruled out.
If he moves on, Cody Gakpo is a contender to inherit the number eight as he has repeatedly worn it for the Netherlands, including at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Alternatively a summer signing could inherit the number, with reported target Matheus Nunes wearing the shirt for Sporting Lisbon for two seasons prior to his move to Wolves last summer.
Alternatively, perhaps Jude Bellingham would fancy taking on the number of his boyhood hero Steven Gerrard? Especially as Calvin Ramsay currently possesses the number 22 shirt that the Borussia Dortmund star has made his own at club-level, though he has worn number eight for England.
NINE
Roberto Firmino is currently looking well-placed to agree a new contract with Liverpool and will keep the number nine shirt if so. But if the Brazilian is tempted away, three of his attacking team-mates at Anfield could potentially inherit it.
As is the case with both seven and eight, Cody Gakpo has worn the number nine for Netherlands in the past. Meanwhile, Diogo Jota has donned the jersey for Portugal on occasions too.
Elsewhere, Darwin Nunez wore number nine during his two seasons with Benfica. Currently number 27 at Anfield, he wouldn’t be the first striker to choose the number in the unavailability of the aforementioned digit.
TEN
Unlike the previous three shirts, Liverpool’s number ten is there for the taking. While he’s spent most of this season injured, Diogo Jota’s prolific form at Anfield could see him rewarded with such a jersey if he desired.
Meanwhile, Luis Diaz was a number ten for Colombian side Junior in the 2018/19 season prior to his move to Europe with FC Porto.
Otherwise, maybe a Liverpool Reds summer signing fancies taking the shirt with Matheus Nunes and Jude Bellingham wearing it on the international stage for Portugal and England in the past respectively.
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