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Liverpool shirt numbers: James Milner to take iconic number seven as Roberto Firmino will wear 11 when he arrives at Anfield

But Steven Gerrard's number eight shirt will remain untouched...for now

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 25 June 2015 10:52 BST

The famous number seven Liverpool shirt (Getty Images)

Summer signing James Milner will be handed the iconic number seven shirt at Liverpool after the club handed the 11 shirt to new £29m acquisition Roberto Firmino.

The number seven shirt has been unassigned since Luis Suarez left for Barcelona last summer, and having seen the likes of Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Peter Beardsley all don the famous shirt over the years, Brendan Rodgers and Co were clearly reluctant to hand it to just anyone.

With Milner completing a free transfer from Manchester City after his contract expired, the Reds moved swiftly to tie him down to a long-term contract before the season had even ended, and regulars at Anfield will be treated to the sight of the number seven shirt making its return when the new campaign gets underway.

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

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1/7Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Felipe Anderson

The Lazio midfielder has enjoyed his breakthrough season in Italy this year, but that has alerted a number of clubs across Europe including Liverpool. The 22-year-old Brazilian is contracted to the Serie A club until 2020 and will therefore cost a significant amount if he were to move this summer, but it’s believed he has the potential to become one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the world if he continues his steep development curve.

Getty Images

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Theo Walcott

Arsenal’s pace merchant is finding it hard to break back into the first team after recovering from the ruptured cruciate ligament that sidelined him for over a year. With doubts over his fitness, his suitability to the current Arsenal side and whether he’s a better option compared to his team-mates, rumours have linked him with a dramatic Arsenal exit. Liverpool would be one of the teams in for the England winger, who can also play in attack, and given that his speed can terrify any defence he would be a suitable option to replace Sterling.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Marco Reus

Any move for Reus appears to be hinged on firing Brendan Rodgers and hiring Jürgen Klopp, and given the noises coming out of Anfield, it’s unlikely to happen this summer. But if another transfer window goes belly-up, don’t be surprised to see Klopp at the club soon after with Reus in tow. The Germany international is a wonderfully gifted player who combines pace and skill to dazzle defences. He has struggled with a persistent ankle injury in recent months, but he would add a proven quality to the Liverpool ranks.

Getty Images

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Divock Origi

Rodgers already knows one signing he will see arrive at Anfield in the summer as Belgium striker Divock Origi will complete the permanent move he agreed last year, having spent the season on loan with Lille. Rodgers could look to revert to the tactics he deployed last season when he had Luis Suarez to pair up with Daniel Sturridge, and although Origi is nowhere near the level Suarez was at present, the Northern Irishman will hope he has unearthed a gem when he arrives in the Premier League.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Alexandre Lacazette

The French forward is being courted by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, but Liverpool could look to show a sign of intent by launching a bid for him before their rivals. Lacazette is equally adept at playing as a striker or out wide, and it would depend on how Rodgers would choose to deploy him to where he would feature. The France international has helped Lyon secure second in Ligue 1 and will finish the season as top goalscorers barring any heroics from Andre-Pierre Gignac, who trails by six goals.

Getty Images

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Jeremy Menez

Menez’s brother and agent has fuelled talk of a move away from AC Milan by admitting he is likely to leave this summer, and even addressed rumours of a move to Liverpool as well as Monaco. However, at this point in time they are just rumours, and despite being able to play out wide he is more suited to an attacking role through the middle.

Getty Images

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Ezequiel Lavezzi

The Argentine has fallen off the radar in recent months, but his future at Paris Saint-Germain remains far from certain and a move to the Premier League has always appeared on the cards. At home out wide on the wing, Lavezzi can also do a job up front, and would bring a physicality to the attack that is currently missing in Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Ibe.

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According to The Telegraph, Milner has been given the number seven shirt because Firmino has taken on the number 11 – last worn by the departed Oussama Assaidi – following his transfer that was announced on Wednesday morning.

Firmino is unveiled as a Liverpool player (Liverpool FC)

Firmino joins Liverpool in a deal that could cost £29m (Liverpool FC)

Firmino is currently in international duty with Brazil at the Copa America, but the club released official pictures of the 23-year-old former Hoffenheim forward in a Liverpool shirt after announcing the deal.

Milner will wear the number seven shirt (GETTY IMAGES)

Despite the two numbers being snapped up, the number eight shirt remains unattached, and looks set to remain so as it’s still warm following the recent departure of club legend Steven Gerrard. With the former Liverpool and England captain moving to the United States to join LA Galaxy, the shirt is now vacant, and with another new signing Danny Ings choosing the 28 shirt, it looks like the number 8 won’t be filled anytime soon.

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