Liverpool’s rookie midfielder Naby Keita has just received the number 8 shirt from former captain Steven Gerrard and the Guinean midfielder will serve the Merseyside team since the 2018-2019 season.
Thus, the 23-year-old star will be the first player to wear this shirt number since May 2015 when Gerrard left Anfield, ending 25 years with the club. Immediately after that, Gerrard joined Los Angeles Galaxy from the American Professional League MLS.
 |
| Keita received the number 8 shirt from Gerrard. |
Keita shared that Liverpool giving him the “legendary” shirt number will be a great motivation for him to contribute to his new club: “It was a great day for me. When Gerrard came and gave me the number 8 shirt, I was completely surprised. Gerrard has long been my idol. Wearing Gerrard’s shirt means trying your best and striving for the achievements he has made in the past.”
 |
| Keita will wear jersey number 8 from next season. |
In Liverpool history, Keita is the 43rd player to wear shirt number 8. Previously, this shirt number belonged to Gerrard (from the 2004-2005 season), Emile Heskey (1999-2004), Jamie Redknapp, Steve McManaman, Jan. Molby, John Aldridge, Ian Rush, Graeme Souness and Alan Kennedy…
 |
| Gerrard’s success at Liverpool is closely linked to the number 8 shirt. |
 |
| Emile Heskey also wore the number 8 shirt when playing at Liverpool. |
In August 2017, Liverpool and RB Leipzig agreed on a transfer fee of £52 million for midfielder Naby Keita under a 5-year contract. This is Keita’s contract release fee, effective when the 2017-2018 season ends. This midfielder has officially been a member of Liverpool since the summer of 2018.
Keita may make his first appearance in a Kop shirt on July 7 when Liverpool has a friendly match with Chester FC. Next, the “Red Brigade” will attend the 2018 International Champions Cup (ICC) in the US. On August 11, coach Jürgen Klopp and his team will kick off the 2018-2019 Premier League season by welcoming West Ham at Anfield.
