Liverpool Eyes Jersey Numbers for Rising Star Florian Wirtz
Liverpool have acted swiftly to bolster their Premier League championship-winning roster during Arne Slot's second summer in charge.
After maintaining a notably quiet approach in the previous transfer window, the Reds have accumulated resources that are now prepared for significant investment. Jeremie Frimpong has already joined from Bayer Leverkusen, and Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez appears set to follow the Dutch player to Anfield for approximately £40 million.
However, there's little question about which acquisition has Liverpool fans most thrilled: Florian Wirtz. The 22-year-old has established himself as the most costly transfer in British football history, penning an extended deal to enhance an offensive lineup that features Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai, among other talents.
Wirtz represents the epitome of a marquee acquisition for the Premier League titleholders and will certainly see his name featured prominently on replica jerseys throughout Liverpool and globally. But which number will appear beneath his name?
Florian Wirtz Shirt Number History
Wirtz sported various numbers throughout his development years at Köln and Bayer Leverkusen, though it was with the latter club where he progressed through their academy system. The German initially adopted the No.27 shirt when establishing himself with Die Werkself, sporting this number upon joining the first team during the 2019–20 season.
Wirtz maintained this number for four straight seasons before transitioning to the jersey coveted by every aspiring attacking midfielder: No.10. The talented player took over this number from Kerem Demirbay following the midfielder's move to Galatasaray in August 2023, wearing it throughout the subsequent season as Leverkusen captured their maiden Bundesliga title and secured the DFB-Pokal—remaining undefeated in both tournaments.
Nevertheless, his international career with Germany has presented more complexity. He's sported seven different numbers while representing the senior national squad, including No.7, No.11, and most recently, No.17. The last mentioned appeared on his jersey during the June international fixtures.
Liverpool Available Shirt Numbers
Media reports have indicated that Wirtz is eager to claim the No.10 jersey at Liverpool. The challenge lies in the fact that Alexis Mac Allister currently wears that specific number, and it would be presumptuous for the German to arrive and immediately request a switch.
Nevertheless, Wirtz strongly refuted speculation about his desire for the No.10 shirt. Through social media, he stated: "Who says I want the 10. I respect players. Don't believe everything what's written."
Consequently, it's anticipated that Wirtz will adopt the No.27 shirt he wore during his breakthrough at Leverkusen. This number became available after Darwin Núñez changed to No.9 in 2023–24, with Divock Origi, Philipp Degen, Grégory Vignal, and Haukur Ingi Guðnason being the other players to wear No.27 since 2000.
Should Wirtz desire an alternative, numerous choices exist. The numbers 6, 12, 13, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, and 25 are all presently unoccupied at Anfield.