What Liverpool squad numbers are available for 2023/24 season?
Pre-season is a time for change. Not just in terms of new personnel but also squad numbers.
New boys Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have been given the numbers 10 and 8 respectively — formerly worn by Sadio Mane and Naby Keita. Luis Diaz has downgraded (or upgraded, surely) from 23 to 7, while Darwin Nuñez has taken up ownership of Roberto Firmino's recently vacated number 9 shirt.
With more changes expected at Liverpool this summer amid the great rebuild, what are the squad number options available (1-30) to new recruits and those in search of new digits?
Liverpool's available squad numbers
Following Nuñez's claiming of the number 9, all the 1-11 shirts are now accounted for — at least until someone else (cough Fabinho cough) leaves.
Beyond that, 12 is the lowest number available for any new recruits. It was last worn by Joe Gomez before he switched to 2.
Jordan Henderson's controversial departure for Saudi Arabia leaves open 14 — the number previously worn by legends Xabi Alonso and Jan Mølby, as well as the Reds' most successful skipper in the Premier League.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's old 15 is also up for grabs and has history, having previously been sported by recent club favourites Daniel Sturridge, Peter Crouch and Patrik Berger.
16 has been free since Marko Grujic left Liverpool, while 22, 23, 24 and 25 are all possibilities for newbies. 23 is perhaps the most appealing for many, because of Diaz's association — as well as David Beckham and Michael Jordan, of course.
Nuñez's old 27 is available, Fabio Carvalho has left 28 free for 2023/24, while Arthur Melo has departed and parted with 29. Number 30 has been unused since the days of Suso.
Beyond that, the number 45 is free — significant because it is the one Romeo Lavia played in last season for Southampton.
Who could change numbers within the squad?
Rising midfielder Stefan Bajcetic may want to shift to a lower number from 43, following a stellar introductory campaign that has seen him cement his place in the first team. Although it's possibly more likely he'll go down the Trent Alexander-Arnold route and stick with his 'academy number' as part of his brand.