It was previously worn by Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool have not had a natural ‘number 10’, in a positional sense or a literal sense, since Coutinho left for Barcelona in January.
But the Reds have a new number 10, as Sadio Mané has taken the vacant shirt number, ditching his previous number of 19.
Sadio Mane will wear the No.10 shirt for #LFC for the 18/19 season. 🔴https://t.co/Z1oIR836lM pic.twitter.com/9wGXMiJtH0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 20, 2018
Mané is a fan favourite at Anfield, and his popularity will only have risen since his goal in the Champions League final, even if it turned out to be ultimately futile.
Fans are delighted by this change – not only does it give an important player an iconic number, but it now means their front three of Roberto Firmino, Mané and Mo Salah will wear numbers 9, 10 and 11 respectively. That’s just satisfying to look at.
YESSSSSS
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) July 20, 2018
— 🐺 (@MehranShai) July 20, 2018
OMG YESSSS
— n (@MacAIIister10) July 20, 2018
The decision to give Mané such a significant number, which was probably being reserved for Nabil Fekir in case he joined, could indicate that Liverpool have given up on signing the Frenchman.
Means the end of Fekir interest 🙁
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) July 20, 2018
