Luis Diaz: The New Number 7 at Anfield
The shift in Liverpool FC’s squad numbers reveals a remarkable gesture from one of the club’s key players, Luis Diaz. As Liverpool FC shared on their Twitter account, the talented winger will personally reimburse any supporter who purchased the club’s 2023-24 replica home shirt with ‘Luis Diaz’ and ’23’ via official club outlets.
.@LuisFDiaz19 will take the No.7 jersey ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Supporters who have already purchased the 23-24 home jersey printed with the name Luis Diaz and number 23 on will be personally reimbursed by the attacker with a like-for-like exchange.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 26, 2023
A Shift in Number, A Boost in Sentiment
Taking on the No.7 shirt, following James Milner’s move to Brighton & Hove Albion, Diaz’s decision signifies a special link with his past and a nod to Liverpool’s history. Interestingly, the No.7 was the same number Diaz proudly wore at his former club, Porto, and continues to wear when representing the Colombian national team.
It is worth noting that the No.7 shirt at Liverpool carries historical importance. Liverpool legends such as Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez have donned the number in the past, further enriching the significance of this change for Diaz.
The Reimbursement Gesture
As shown in the tweet shared above, it was announced that any fans who have purchased a ‘Luis Diaz 23’ shirt will be “personally reimbursed by the attacker with a like-for-like exchange for a ‘Luis Diaz 7’ shirt.” This gracious gesture adds another layer to the bond between the player and the supporters. In an eco-friendly twist, all replaced No. 23 shirts will be donated to the LFC Foundation, thereby serving a dual purpose.
Diaz’s Journey So Far
Since Diaz’s move to Anfield in January 2022, the Colombian has made a promising start. In his first 13 appearances, he found the net four times and provided three assists. The end of the 2022-23 season was somewhat disrupted for Diaz due to a knee operation, sidelining him from October to April, during which Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League.
Looking Forward: New Season, New Challenges
As we stand on the brink of the 2023-24 season, a few other changes have been noted at Anfield. The departures of Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita have left the No. 9 and No. 8 shirts vacant. Meanwhile, new recruit Alexis Mac Allister claimed the No. 10 shirt upon his arrival from Brighton earlier this transfer window, filling the void left by Sadio Mane’s move to Bayern Munich last summer.
In conclusion, Diaz’s switch to the No.7 shirt for Liverpool isn’t just a change in number; it’s a sign of the player’s respect for the club’s history and his connection with the fans. As the 2023-24 season beckons, the Anfield faithful will undoubtedly look forward to seeing ‘Luis Diaz 7’ lighting up the pitch.