Florian Wirtz will wear Liverpool’s iconic No 7 shirt this season, after his preferred No 10 was already taken by Alexis Mac Allister. The German midfielder joined from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer for a fee that could reach £116 million.
Before arriving at Anfield, reports suggested Wirtz was keen to take the No 10 shirt. However, the 22-year-old took to Instagram to deny those claims, writing: “Who says I want the 10. I respect players. Don't believe everything what's written.”
With No 10 unavailable, Wirtz has now been handed the No 7 shirt, left vacant after Luis Diaz’s move to Bayern Munich. Ironically, Wirtz played a role in that transfer, telling Diaz about the intensity of the Bundesliga. The shirt has previously been worn by Liverpool greats such as Steve McManaman, Peter Beardsley, Luis Suarez and Harry Kewell.
Liverpool fans have welcomed the decision on social media. One wrote: “Wirtz 7 just looks right,” while another added: “Flo Wirtz takes on the iconic Liverpool No.7 shirt. Once worn by Keegan, Dalglish, Beardsley, McManaman, Kewell, Smicer, Suarez, Milner, Diaz... The legacy continues.”
Wirtz will hope for a positive start with his new number. After a friendly against Athletic Bilbao, he could win his first trophy in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. Liverpool then begin their Premier League campaign at Bournemouth.
