Steven Gerrard: Liverpool Legend Influential in Mac Allister Choosing Number 10 Over 8

• Alexis Mac Allister is Liverpool’s first summer signing after an underwhelming season
• The Argentina World Cup-winning midfielder was signed for a bargain from Brighton
• He chose the short number 10 even though the legendary number 8 was available

Alexis Mac Allister has opened up on why he chose shirt number 10 ahead of number 8 after signing for Liverpool, and it has some connections to legend Steven Gerrard.

Mac Allister saw his stocks rise after starring for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he got a crucial goal in the group stage against Poland and grabbed an assist in the final against France.

Unlike his midfield partner Enzo Fernandez, who immediately left Benfica in January, he stayed at the South Coast till the end of the season but struck a gentleman’s agreement he would be allowed to go in the summer.

According to BBC Sports, the Reds snapped him up for a bargain price of £35m due to an exit clause in his contract, and fans were gushing that Jurgen Klopp got the best price of the summer.

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Why Mac Allister chose 10

The club’s jersey number 10 became vacant last summer when Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich. The 24-year-old new signing reveals why he chose it ahead of the iconic number 8, left vacant after Naby Keita was confirmed to be leaving the club.

“One day, I was talking to my dad when he asked me what number I would wear for Liverpool,” he said via Mirror UK. “I knew there were several numbers available - including 10 and 8.

“The No 8 shirt is a very important number in that club because of Gerrard, so I hesitated a bit. I ended up choosing the 10, but 8 is a number that I like a lot and has a history at the club.”

The transfer was wrapped up quickly, and he was unveiled before teaming up with the national team for the friendlies against Australia and Indonesia.

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Liverpool’s former number 10s

Sports Brief analysed the seven players that wore number 10 for Liverpool in the Premier League era, including the recent occupant Sadio Mane.

Mac Allister may have avoided number 8 out of respect for Gerrard, but the number he chose is no paperweight, as John Barnes and Michael Owen previously wore it.