Liverpool can fill four iconic squad numbers as exciting new transfer signings join the Reds

Liverpool can fill four iconic squad numbers as exciting new transfer signings join the Reds

Liverpool are set to shake up the squad this summer with a slew of likely new signings, and there will be some pretty big boots – and shirts – to fill at Anfield

Liverpool are about to get busy in the transfer market, but not before saying goodbye to some familiar faces.

James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave the club this summer, along with goalkeeper Adrian and little-seen loan midfielder Arthur Melo.

And in the case of the former trio, their departure will see three of Liverpool’s – and indeed football’s – most iconic shirt numbers available this summer, while the Reds are still yet to fill the number 10 shirt following Sadio’s departure Mane last year .

So what’s the story of those shirts at Liverpool and who might wear them next?

Arguably the most iconic number in Liverpool’s history, the likes of Billy Liddell and Ian Callaghan wore the number 7 before it became the property of Kevin Keegan in 1971, then Kenny Dalglish six years later. Photos of Dalglish wearing the jersey still adorn the Kop today and while more recently the number has risked being seen as a bit of a tough cross to take, Vladimir Smicer has gone from No.7 to No.11 in the season due to jersey pressure, then won the champions. League – the two men who have worn it for the last decade and a while, Luis Suarez and Milner, have done quite well.

The future?

Mason Mount has had close ties with Liverpool for some time and he would certainly be seen as someone who could carry on Milner’s good work in the No.7 should he arrive and take over.

Interestingly, the Chelsea man has favored number 19 for club and country pretty much since his first appearance and if he desired that shirt, its current wearer, Harvey Elliott, certainly wouldn’t mind the seven no more.

The past

No one has scored more goals for Liverpool than Ian Rush, who claimed the number 9 shirt in two seasons for the club, having been successfully worn by Ian St John and Steve Heighway. After Rush it was passed on to Robbie Fowler who continued the shirt goalscoring tradition, but after Fernando Torres the number was somewhat cursed as it was worn by Andy Carroll, Iago Aspas, Rickie Lambert and Christian Benteke before Firmino only changes the No.11 he wore. in his first two seasons to win in 2017.

The future?

It seems easy enough to predict.

Darwin Nunez has had his ups and downs in his first season with the Reds, but perhaps a new number for next season could help him realize the huge potential he clearly has?

The Uruguayan wore number 9 at former club Benfica and with Liverpool being the closest thing in the squad to being a pure striker, which Klopp will hopefully see more of next season, he looks like a jersey contender. Past

Liverpool’s number 10 shirt has remained intact since Sadio Mane left last summer, with the Senegalese a Reds legend and a player who, like Firmino, has come to define much of what modern Liverpool was.

Mane took over the shirt in the summer of 2018, six months after Philippe Coutinho left, with the Brazilian joining Luis Garcia, Michael Owen, Josh Toshack and most notably John Barnes as a loving number 10.

The future?

The number 10 shirt has a certain appeal, of course, and although Mane was a player he often made the difference for Liverpool where he mattered. The Reds hope that whoever wears the shirt can too. A likely candidate could be Brighton’s No.10 Alexis Mac Allister as he continues to be linked with a move from the south coast.

Inside candidates include Elliott and possibly Curtis Jones, but Mac Allister might just have one eye on Mane’s footsteps.