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 club after his contract expired in June, joining Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli on a free transfer.
Firmino wore the number 11 shirt in his first season at Anfield before taking on the number nine after switching from an attacking midfielder to 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 netted 15 goals and provided 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 Reds player to be handed a new number, with Luis Diaz switching from 23 to seven this summer.
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.
