Jurgen Klopp has been a busy man ever since the end of the previous season and he has already completed a couple of additions to his squad this summer.
Having signed Dominic Solanke early in the summer, Liverpool have recently announced the signing of Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah, who is sure to improve the Liverpool attack.
The former Chelsea and AS Roma man is expected to walk into the first team next season and could potentially cost Liverpool up to £39m after the addition of bonuses.
And Liverpool interestingly decided to hand Salah his 11 number, like in his time at AS Roma, which meant that the Reds had to strip Roberto Firmino of his kit number for the next season.
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However, the Brazilian has been in excellent form and is also expected to be the first choice and reports revealed that he is expected to sport the number 9 jersey next season.
The number has been vacant since the club sold Christian Benteke to Crystal Palace last summer and Firmino probably has done more than Benteke did in his time at Anfield and deserves the number but he will have huge expectations on him, as a glance into the past at Anfield shows that some of the best ever players to play for the club have been awarded that number.
Here is a list of the previous number 9s at Liverpool in the Premier League era:
Ian Rush – 1992-96
With 346 goals to his name, Rush is the tip goal scorer for the Reds and he got 45+ goals in two seasons past his 30, and stands as one of the best to have ever played the game.
Robbie Fowler – 1996-2001, 2006-07
Regarded as ‘God’ and ‘the best number 9’ by Liverpool fans, Fowler scored 120 league goals in his time at Anfield and will be remembered forever for his finishing abilities.
Nicolas Anelka – 2001-2
The former Arsenal and Real Madrid man only got a season on loan at Anfield and was not able to impress many in that stint.
El Hadji Diouf – 2002-04
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The only Liverpool number 9 to go a season without bagging a goal, Diouf will be remembered as one of the worst transfers for Liverpool.
Djibril Cisse – 2004-06
A horrific broken leg cut short a sensational career for the, then record buy for Liverpool as he had to leave the club to get back to his best.
Fernando Torres – 2007-11
Probably the best number 9 in his prime in Europe, Torres helped Liverpool to some memorable days and will forever be cherished.
Andy Carroll – 2011-12
Image Credit: Mirror
Liverpool club record signing till date, Carroll was brought in by Kenny Dalglish but he will remain one of the worst expenditures from the club.
Iago Aspas – 2013-14
A strange buy from the Reds who wanted the Spaniard to be the next best thing. But Aspas failed to prove himself and slowly faded away.
Rickie Lambert – 2014-15
Only bought in as a backup, and because he is a Liverpool fan, Lambert could have offered more but he did what he could under a struggling Brendan Rodgers’ side at Anfield.
Christian Benteke – 2015-16
The Belgian star is still one of the best strikers in England but he does not suit Klopp’s style of play and was sold last summer.
Firmino will some huge boots to fill but do you think he can do it?