With Naby Keïta Set to Leave, Who Takes the Famous 8…
I wrote a piece last week, raising the question as to who would potentially take on the famous Liverpool number 7 shirt. With some good feedback on that light-hearted look at yesteryear, I wanted to avert my attention to another famous Liverpool jersey. With our underachieving (and injury prone) Guinean set to leave Anfield this summer, it is sad that the historic shirt is getting handed off again, so soon after it’s reallocation. Due to a glittering spell at RB Leipzig, Naby was the player chosen to add sparkle and control to our evolving midfield. His ability and ceiling were never in doubt, after a string of glittering performances within his tender 23-years of age. As an addition, you would be hard tasked to find a better recruit in 2018. Yet, after a mere five years as a red, we are about to say our farewells to this 28-year-old that will have played only 84 games for the reds. It should have gone so very differently; however, his departure is now all but confirmed.
https://twitter.com/ThatRexGuy/status/1653504090956091416?s=20
With that, I wanted to list the famous number 8’s that have worn the shirt, on behalf of our illustrious club.
Gordan Hodgson (1933 – 1934)
Jack Balmer (1948 – 1950)
Kevin Baron (1948 – 1954)
Phil Taylor (1950 – 1952)
Jack Haigh (1950 – 1951)
Jack Balmer (1951 – 1952)
Cyril Done (1951 – 1952)
Bryan Williams (1952 – 1953)
Hugh Gerhardi (1952 – 1953)
Billy Liddell (1952 – 1953)
Louis Bimpson (1952 – 1953)
Joe Maloney (1953 – 1954)
Jimmy Payne (1953 – 1955)
John Evans (1953 – 1954)
Louis Bimpson (1954 – 1958)
Alan Arnell (1954 – 1956)
Eric Anderson (1954 – 1957)
Tony Rowley (1954 – 1958)
Jimmy Melia (1955 – 1956)
Joe Dickson (1955 – 1956)
Geoff Twentyman (1955 – 1956)
Billy Liddell (1955 – 1956)
Johnny Wheeler (1956 – 1957)
Alan Arnell (1957 – 1958)
Jimmy Melia (1957 – 1958)
Jimmy Harrower (1957 – 1959)
Bobby Murdoch (1957 – 1959)
Billy Liddell (1958 – 1959)
Geoff Twentyman (1958 – 1959)
Johnny Wheeler (1958 – 1959)
Jimmy Melia (1959 – 1960)
Roger Hunt (1959 – 1970)
Alan A’Court (1960 – 1961)
Kevin Lewis (1961 – 1962)
Gordon Wallace (1963 – 1964)
Geoff Strong (1965 – 1967)
John Sealey (1964 – 1965)
Phil Chisnal (1965 – 1966)
Alf Arrowsmith (1965 – 1966)
Bobby Graham (1965 – 1966)
Gordon Milne (1966 – 1967)
Tommy Smith (1966 – 1968)
Bobby Graham (1967 – 1970)
Emlyn Hughes (1967 – 1968)
Tommy Smith (1969 – 1970)
Alun Evans (1969 – 1972)
Phil Boersma (1969 – 1973)
Alec Lindsay (1969 – 1971)
Ian Ross (1969 – 1970)
Steve Peplow (1969 – 1970)
Doug Livermore (1969 – 1970)
Brian Hall (1979 – 1976)
John Toshack (1970 – 1971)
John McLaughlin (1970 – 1972)
Peter Thompson (1970 – 1972)
Bobby Graham (1971 – 1972)
John Whitham (1971 – 1972)
Steve Heighway (1971 – 1972)
Phil Thompson (1972 – 1973)
Peter Cormack (1972 – 1975)
John McLaughlin (1973 – 1975)
Phil Boersma (1974 – 1975)
Kevin Keegan (1974 – 1975)
Terry McDermott (1974 – 1978)
Ray Kennedy (1975 – 1976)
David Fairclough (1975 – 1978)
Jimmy Case (1975 – 1981)
David Johnson (1976 – 1979)
Graham Souness (1977 – 1978)
Steve Heighway (1978 – 1979)
David Fairclough (1979 – 1980)
Sammy Lee (1979 – 1985)
David Johnson (1981 – 1982)
Ronnie Whelan (1981 – 1982)
Ian Rush (1981 – 1982)
Alan Kennedy (1981 – 1982)
David Hodgson (1982 – 1983)
Ronnie Whelan (1984 – 1985)
Steve Nicol (1984 – 1987)
Michael Robinson (1984 – 1985)
Jan Mølby (1984 – 1985)
Craig Johnston (1985 – 1988)
John Wark (1985 – 1986)
Gary Gillespie (1985 – 1986)
Barry Venison (1986 – 1987)
David Burrows (1989 – 1990)
Nicky Tanner (1989 – 1990)
Ronny Rosenthal (1989 – 1990)
Jan Mølby (1990 – 1992)
Gary Ablett (1990 – 1992)
Steve McManaman (1991 – 1993)
Mike Marsh (1991 – 1993)
Istvan Kozma (1991 – 1992)
Mark Walters (1991 – 1993)
Ronny Rosenthal (1992 – 1993)
Phil Charnock (1992 – 1993)
Jamie Redknapp (1992 – 1993)
Don Hutchinson (1992 – 1993)
Paul Stewart (1992 – 1994)
Jamie Redknapp (1995 – 1996)
Stan Collymore (1995 – 1997)
Øyvind Leonhardsen (1997 – 1999)
Emile Heskey (1999 – 2004)
Steven Gerrard (2004 – 2015)
Naby Keïta (2018 – 2023)
That’s a glorious list of players that have been fortunate enough to wear this famous Liverpool number. In fairly recent times, Steven Gerrard has brought its status to an all-time high. His phenomenal Anfield career and listed achievements, have him as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players. In years to come, he may even become known as the best there has ever been. In passing the shirt over to Naby (albeit after a three-year sabbatical), the expectation was possibly too much for a player coming into a new club and league. As the spot becomes vacant once more, I will look at the players that could take on this squad number in the coming season.
Trent Alexander Arnold
Current Squad Number – 66
Once again, I am putting his name forward, especially after his recent promotion into a midfield hybrid position. There is little doubt that Stevie was his childhood idol, whereas his playing level and recent performances are starting to mirror some of the key facets of the legends game. To reward this young man a clean slate may benefit everyone, thereby pushing the 24-year-old to even more staggering levels of play.
Verdict – An outside bet, though a tantalizing one.
Curtis Jones
Current Squad Number – 17
The resurrection of our former under-23 captain has been a wonderful sight, with a consistent manner making him a main stay in the team. His enthusiasm and energy appear to be infectious, with a clear aim to impress his manager. Another good season will throw his hat into the ring (for a more prominent squad number), but we are not quite there yet.
Verdict – Too early, he must concentrate on further progression.
Cody Gakpo
Current Squad Number – 18
This is a player that could become an outstanding servant for the club, with a skill-set and versatility that will surely benefit his team. His role is yet to be completely defined, whereas we should not be putting too much pressure on his young shoulders. With an encouraging half season behind him, it will be interesting how high his ceiling can go.
Verdict – Give him time to settle in.
Alexis Mac Allister
I’m taking a punt that this man is incoming. The World Cup winning Argentina international, is quite simply brilliant. With a calm and confident manner to his play, I could absolutely see the current Brighton man elevating our midfield game. I’m excited to see what he may bring, if indeed he does arrive in the coming weeks.
Verdict – It is a yes from me.
This is a trickier number than the equally important number 7. For me, it should be left for someone special, one that warrants the weight of its stature. Though I would love to see either Trent or (maybe) Alexis given this squad number, it’s probably something that would benefit from being held back for a year.
However, if someone were to arrive from Borussia Dortmund…
And in the real world. For a start, mac alisster likes the No10 shirt. I don’t think Curtis Jones should be given a low numbered shirt just yet. Now who takes the No8 that’s going to be interesting, if gakpo wants it give him it. If not who?