Florian Wirtz Inherits Liverpool's Legendary No.7 Jersey, Following in Footsteps of Club Icons

Following the reveal of their fresh home and away kits for the 2025–26 season, Liverpool have also confirmed the jersey numbers for their collection of summer signings.

The major announcement is that Florian Wirtz will wear the iconic No. 7 jersey in his inaugural campaign with the Reds after his spectacular £116 million ($153.5 million) transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. The German midfielder has never previously sported this number during his professional career, but the change places him among Liverpool's legendary figures.

Determining the precise count of players who have worn the celebrated No. 7 jersey at Anfield proves extremely challenging. Although shirt numbers were officially introduced to English football in 1928, players only began using consistent squad numbers throughout entire seasons in 1993. Before this modification, individual jersey numbers were worn interchangeably by club players based on their position—with the No. 7 typically reserved for the right-sided midfielder.

Identifying Liverpool's inaugural No. 7 wearer is equally complex, but numerous club legends bore its significance before official squad numbers were established. Billy Liddell was among the earliest stars to claim the jersey, though he also frequently wore the No. 9 and No. 11 throughout his 14-plus years at the club. He remains fifth on Liverpool's all-time scoring charts.

Ian Callaghan, who holds Liverpool's appearance record with 857 games for the Reds, also consistently donned the No. 7 shirt, including during his debut in April 1960 and throughout much of the following decade. Nevertheless, Kevin Keegan's arrival altered Callaghan's situation.

The dual Ballon d'Or recipient and former England boss joined the Reds in 1971 and swiftly claimed the No. 7 jersey. He achieved remarkable success wearing the shirt, capturing three league championships, two FA Cups and the European Cup.

Kenny Dalglish stands as not only Liverpool's finest No. 7, but potentially their greatest player ever. He succeeded Keegan in the squad and rapidly made the shirt legendary, cementing himself as an eternal club icon and the most beloved player in Liverpool's story—he remains tied for that distinction with Steven Gerrard.

When squad numbers were initially implemented at the start of the Premier League era, Nigel Clough assumed the No. 7 shirt, but the jersey didn't regain its mystique until 2010. Luis Suárez electrified Merseyside during his four-year tenure in the jersey, delivering consistently brilliant and spectacular displays that nearly delivered Liverpool an unexpected Premier League crown under Brendan Rodgers.

James Milner maintained Suárez's tradition, albeit with a completely different playing approach, while Luis Díaz switched from No. 23 to No. 7 following the Englishman's exit. Wirtz now inherits its expectations after Díaz's transfer to Bayern Munich.

Liverpool No. 7 Jersey History—Since 1993