Liverpool FC: The Reds' 11 Most Iconic Shirt Numbers in Premier League Era

When we look at world football history, there have been shirt numbers so iconic that they just “belong” to their most famous wearers.

Some are instantly associated with the players’ images: Zinedine Zidane’s No. 5 (Real Madrid) and No. 10 (France), Thierry Henry’s No. 14 (Arsenal) and No. 12 (France).

Some have been retired for their heroes’ legendary achievements: Diego Maradona’s No. 10 (Napoli), Paolo Maldini’s No. 3 and Franco Baresi’s No. 6 (both AC Milan).

What about Liverpool?

Given their illustrious history, perhaps it’s no surprise that the No. 7 shirt has been worn by two of English football’s most famous players ever: Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish.

But back then, shirt numbers were assigned usually according to the starting lineup and to the players’ starting positions. Only since the 1993-1994 Premier League season did the English FA instate the concept of fixed squad numbers.

In the 18 seasons that have passed since this rule, we have seen plenty of iconic Liverpool shirt numbers.

Let’s take a look at the 11 most memorable—and a few honorable mentions.

11. Patrik Berger’s No. 15

When a shirt number is memorable, it often helps that its wearer is capable of the spectacular.

Patrik Berger was one such player.

From Berger’s hammer of a left foot came many a screamer, and his flowing locks were always present as he wheeled away in celebration.

The number on the back? Liverpool’s most famous No. 15.

10. Danny Murphy’s No. 13

Like Patrik Berger, many of Danny Murphy’s goals live long in fans' memories.

The man from Crewe has gone down in Liverpool history as one of the most famous slayers of Manchester United; he scored the winning goals in three 1-0 wins at Old Trafford in just four seasons. He was also a clinical penalty taker and a set-piece specialist.

And the one ever-present during all those epic feats? The No. 13 on his back

9. Steve McManaman’s No. 7

The only reason Steve McManaman is placed so low on this list is that he only wore the No. 7 shirt during his last three seasons at Anfield.

There can be no understating his achievements, however.

One of the early Premier League era’s most exciting wingers, McManaman was Liverpool’s answer to Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs, as well as a member of the infamous Spice Boys.

His dribbling, flair and creative vision were second to none, and the sight of McManaman speeding down the wing caused plenty of opposing defenders to panic while the spectators relished the flying No. 7.

McManaman went on to take over another iconic shirt, the No. 8, at Real Madrid.

8. Michael Owen’s No. 10

He might be wearing No. 7 at the archrivals down the M6 now, but Michael Owen was perhaps the player who made the Liverpool No. 10 ubiquitous around the world.

One of the best goal scorers in Anfield history, Owen burst onto the scene as a teenager and soon cemented his place in the starting lineups of both Liverpool and the England national team.

He took up the No. 10 shirt for both teams and did not let either down, setting record after record and capturing the imagination of fans all over the world.

The rest, as they say, is history, but Owen’s achievements in his iconic No. 10 can never be forgotten.

7. John Barnes’ No. 10

Michael Owens is just shaded by John Barnes as Liverpool’s most famous No. 10 in the Premier League, if not of all time.

Because, not only was Barnes a truly phenomenal player for the Reds, he was a player who changed the face of the English game.

Coming into prominence as one of English football’s finest wingers, Barnes dealt with racism and discrimination early in his Liverpool career like water off a duck’s back and became a crowd favorite up and down the country.

And as Liverpool headed into the Premier League era, Barnes once again led the way with the No. 10 on his back.

6. Ian Rush’s No. 9

For all of Ian Rush’s legendary achievements in the Liverpool No. 9, he only played in red for three Premier League seasons.

And that is why, in the context of this article, he is placed sixth on this list.

There shouldn’t be any need to go into his record-breaking goalscoring for Liverpool. The scorer of way too many game-winners to remember, Rush secured his place in Liverpool folklore by proving equally prolific alongside many different strike partners.

As in the case of Steve McManaman, this placing does not begin to reflect Rush’s impact at Anfield, but all Kopites will know that he was the striker that defined what the number nine means to Liverpool Football Club.

5. Fernando Torres’ No. 9

If not for his acrimonious departure for Stamford Bridge in 2011, Fernando Torres and his No. 9 shirt would almost definitely be higher on this list.

You know a player and his number are meant to be when they are chanted in the same breath. In Torres’ Anfield heyday, the "Torres bounce" as well as "Fernando Torres, Liverpool’s No. 9" were heard in every Premier League ground every weekend.

His jersey became one of the Premier League’s best-selling products around the globe after fans were treated to one of Liverpool’s best ever strike duos: Torres’ No. 9 and Steven Gerrard’s No. 8 (we’ll get there later).

One of Liverpool’s true icons in the Premier League era, Torres’ impact as Liverpool’s leading man was so great that his departure led to another sadly iconic scene—the burning of the No. 9.

4. Jamie Carragher’s No. 23

We might not be seeing Jamie Carragher and his No. 23 every week anymore, but there is no denying the instant association of this club legend with this equally legendary number.

Carragher’s rise from utility man to one of Europe’s finest central defenders was due to his work ethic and professionalism, and along the way, he made the No. 23 a part of Anfield history.

There are too many iconic moments involving the 23, not in the least was Carragher’s heroic defending in Liverpool’s magical Champions League win at Istanbul.

A one-club man and a one-number man—how many of them still exist in the modern game?

3. Robbie Fowler’s No. 9

Fun fact: Prior to taking over as Liverpool’s No. 9 and resident deity, Robbie Fowler was Jamie Carragher’s predecessor in the No. 23.

Fowler already set records with No. 23. His five goals against Fulham just weeks after his debut catapulted him to stardom, and he capped off his No. 23 achievements with his famous four-minute, 33-second hat trick against Arsenal.

But he was always destined for the No. 9.

And you know Fowler and the Red Nine was a match made in heaven when he claimed the shirt in his majestic return to Anfield.

God had his number back.

2. Sami Hyypia’s No. 4

When Sami Hyypia first arrived at Anfield and took over the No. 12 shirt, no one knew who he was.

A few years later, he had cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s best central defenders, one of Liverpool’s best ever purchases, Gerard Houllier’s club captain and the rightful owner of the No. 4 shirt.

The grace with which Hyypia played for so many seasons, the thumping headed goals from the No. 4, the classy defending that accompanied the shirt—Sami Hyypia was a model professional who remains a crowd favorite to this day.

Who could forget that everlasting image on May 24, 2009, when this No. 4 was hoisted above his teammates’ shoulders and stayed on the Anfield pitch overcome with tears on his last ever appearance for Liverpool?

1. Steven Gerrard’s No. 8

Who else but Steven Gerrard?

The wearer of No. 28 when he burst onto the scene, of No. 17 when he entered stardom and took over the Liverpool captaincy, of No. 8 when he hoisted the European Cup, Gerrard has become synonymous with Liverpool in his time at Anfield.

The energy was already in abundance with No. 28. The piledrivers came with No. 17. The game-winning moments increased even more in No. 8.

Gerrard’s has been an extraordinary career in Liverpool Red.

And he has made his No. 8 one of the most famous, not just in Liverpool history, but in world football history.

Honorable Mentions

And now, other iconic shirt numbers that deserve recognition:

Stephane Henchoz’s No. 2
Markus Babbel’s No. 6
Xabi Alonso’s No. 14
Dietmar Hamann’s No. 16
John Arne Riise’s No. 18.

And the list goes on.

Did I miss any? What would be your choices? Please list them in the comments below—but be sure to keep them in the Premier League era!

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