Roberto Firmino is on the cusp of leaving Liverpool after eight glorious years at Anfield. The Brazil international has won the lot under Jurgen Klopp as a key cog in his successful team.
But now the ECHO understands he will depart in the summer when his current contract expires. He is looking for a fresh challenge, with competition for game time at Anfield becoming more intense.
Firmino's exit will leave the Reds with yet another big squad number decision to make for next season. Here is a look at how things could play out...
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SEVEN
Although now 37 years old, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that James Milner signs another new extension at Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp previously suggesting he would like the veteran to stay. He’s shown little sign of slowing down, after all. If he does extend his contract, he keeps the number seven shirt.
However, if Milner moves on, a number of current Reds could have their eye on it. Cody Gakpo has worn the number seven for the Netherlands in the past, while Luis Diaz donned the shirt for three seasons at FC Porto.
While Harvey Elliott only swapped number 67 for 19 last summer, he is a boyhood Liverpool fan and has voiced his love for the number in the past, with that admiration prompting him to choose his first Anfield squad number.
And while perhaps less likely, there’s something about a chaotic Uruguayan striker wearing the number seven shirt that just seems right, if Darwin Nunez fancied following in the footsteps of compatriot Luis Suarez.
Mason Mount rumours also continue to swirl, and it could be a number he would eye up should he move club, having worn it for England.
EIGHT
As things stand, Naby Keita looks likely to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract.
If he moves on, Cody Gakpo is an outside contender to inherit the number eight as he has repeatedly worn it for the Netherlands, including at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Alternatively a summer signing could inherit the number, with reported target Matheus Nunes wearing the shirt for Sporting Lisbon for two seasons prior to his move to Wolves last summer. Mason Mount would probably be keen on it too, if he leaves Chelsea.
Alternatively, perhaps Jude Bellingham would fancy taking on the number of his boyhood hero Steven Gerrard? Especially as Calvin Ramsay currently possesses the number 22 shirt that the Borussia Dortmund star has made his own at club-level, though he has worn number eight for England.
NINE
After the big Firmino news today, the number nine will be up for grabs in the summer.
As is the case with both seven and eight, Cody Gakpo has worn the number nine for Netherlands in the past. Meanwhile, Diogo Jota has donned the jersey for Portugal on occasions too.
Elsewhere, Darwin Nunez wore number nine during his two seasons with Benfica. Currently number 27 at Anfield, he wouldn’t be the first striker to choose the number in the unavailability of the aforementioned digit.
TEN
Liverpool’s number 10 is there for the taking, as it is currently vacant. Diogo Jota’s prolific form at Anfield could see him rewarded with such a jersey if he desired.
Meanwhile, Luis Diaz was a number 10 for Colombian side Junior in the 2018/19 season prior to his move to Europe with FC Porto.
Otherwise, maybe a Liverpool Reds summer signing fancies taking the shirt with Matheus Nunes and Jude Bellingham wearing it on the international stage for Portugal and England in the past respectively. Mason Mount gets a mention again too, as tentative links to Liverpool continue.
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