Mac Allister surprisingly turned down a chance to take Gerrard’s number 8 shirt and opted for the number 10 shirt instead
By Kehinde Okeowo
Argentina midfielder, Alexis Mac Allister, has explained why he turned down the shirt number worn by legendary Liverpool midfielder, Steven Gerrard after he signed by the club.
TheNiche earlier reported that the World Cup winner became the Red’s first signing of the summer window after he successfully completed his medical and agreed personal terms with the Merseyside club.
Speaking after he completed the £45 million move from Brighton to Liverpool, Mac Allister said: “It feels amazing. It’s a dream come true, it’s amazing to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I wanted to be in [from] the first day of pre-season, so it’s good that everything is done. I’m looking forward to meeting my team-mates”.
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However, after completing the move, the 24-year-old Argentine surprisingly snubbed the chance to take Gerrard’s number 8 shirt and opted for the number 10 shirt instead.
Justifying his decision, Mac Allister, said he knew what the number 8 symbolizes at his new club, but added that he preferred the number he picked because it was what he wore while at his former club and during international duties.
“I know how important number 10 is in football,” Mac Allister said.
“I had the possibility to take the number eight as well, which is a big number for this club because of [Steven] Gerrard of course.
“But I decided for number 10 because I use it in Argentina, in Brighton and under-23s national team as well. It’s a number that I really like and that’s why I chose it.”
The number has been vacant since Sadio Mane left Liverpool to join Bayern Munich and it was previously worn by Philippe Coutinho, Michael Owen and Steve McManaman.