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EPL: Mac Allister rejected Number 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard (Details)

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EPL: Mac Allister rejected Number 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard (Details)

Alexis Mac Allister, a new signing for Liverpool, has revealed that, out of respect for Steven Gerrard, he turned down the opportunity to wear the storied number 8.

After Gerrard left Anfield in 2015, the number 8 shirt remained vacant until Naby Keita joined the team in 2018. Gerrard wore the number 8 for ten years.

EPL: Mac Allister rejected Number 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard (Details)

When Naby Keita inherited Gerrard's shirt in 2018 for £53 million from RB Leipzig, he failed to live up to expectations, and his contract was not renewed.

Mac Allister was offered the chance to take over for Keita because Keita was leaving on a free transfer this summer. The number 8 shirt, which he wore while playing for Boca Juniors in Argentina, was offered to the new signing, but he declined it in favor of keeping his Brighton number 10.

The number 10 was famously worn by both Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho at Anfield, but when Mane moved to Bayern Munich in the summer, it became vacant.

EPL: Mac Allister rejected Number 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard (Details)

In an interview with the Mirror, Mac Allister stated that, out of respect for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, he declined to wear the Number 8 jersey.

“One day, I was talking to my dad, and he asked me which Liverpool number I would wear. I was aware that there were a number of options, including 10 and 8. Because Gerrard is such a significant player for that club, I hesitated a little. I chose the number 10, but the number 8 is a favorite of mine and has a long history at the club."

Mac Allister also talked about the conversations that took place behind closed doors with Jurgen Klopp, which convinced him to choose Liverpool over rivals like Manchester United and Chelsea for his long-term future.


EPL: Mac Allister rejected Number 8 jersey at Liverpool because of Gerrard (Details)

In addition:

“I had the opportunity to speak with Klopp after the season ended, and he told me about the club, the city, and what he wanted. The most important thing was that they wanted me to be there from the beginning and communicated with my family.

It became even more clear when I was able to speak with the coach. I chose Liverpool due to the minute details. It seems like the right thing to do for my career.

We all know that Klopp likes to play a lot of counterattack, but his style of play has changed in recent years. He told me that he needed players who could play outside the lines and had a winning attitude.

I've always thought that way, but it's even more so now that the World Cup is over. The club and I share the same goal: I want to win titles.

"Liverpool is one of the world's largest clubs." It has always been like this.

"The way the fans show up at each game demonstrates. But there is also a team with great players and a great coach, as well as history. They demonstrated a strong desire for me to be there from the beginning."

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