Liverpool confirm new number 9 following Roberto Firmino’s exit

Liverpool have announced that Darwin Nunez will take the vacant number nine shirt for the 2023/24 season.

The shirt’s previous holder, Roberto Firmino, left the Reds following the expiration of his contract in June, joining Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli on a free transfer.

Firmino wore the number 11 shirt in his first year at Anfield before taking on the number nine after converting from an attacking midfielder into a centre forward.

The iconic shirt will now be taken on by Nunez, who joined Liverpool from Benfica last summer for a fee that could reach £85m if add-ons are met.

Nunez took the number 27 for his debut campaign at Anfield in which he scored 15 goals and added four assists in 42 games.

In a statement, Liverpool said: “Darwin Nunez will wear the No.9 jersey for Liverpool for 2023-24.

“Fans who have already purchased new 2023-24 home and away jerseys printed with the name ‘Darwin’ and the number ‘27’ will be personally reimbursed by Nunez with a like-for-like exchange for a ‘Darwin 9’ shirt.”

Nunez is not the only member of Liverpool’s squad to be handed a new number, with Luis Diaz switching from 23 to seven this summer.

• Liverpool number 9 shirt history

Before squad numbers were permanently assigned and were instead given out on a game-by-game basis, the likes of Roger Hunt, Ian St John, John Toshack, Phil Thompson, David Fairclough, David Johnson, Steve Heighway and Ian Rush adorned the number nine shirt for Liverpool.

In the 21st century, 10 players have worn the nine, with Nunez set to become the 11th.