Luis Diaz may just have hinted at the next big Liverpool squad number change

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz might just have hinted that he will pick up the iconic No.7 shirt at Anfield and beyond next season after it was vacated by departing hero James Milner.

Diaz, 26, scored a bullet header for Colombia on Tuesday night as he helped the South Americans defeat Germany. Juan Cuadrado provided the other strike in a memorable 2-0 friendly win.

Although there was little riding on the result in Gelsenkirchen, it was an eye-catching victory for Columbia as that man Diaz led the way. However, it was not only his opening goal – powered into the net after a sublime cross from Cuadrado – that caught the eye for Liverpool supporters.

Indeed, those watching the action unfold on TV and social media were paying full attention to the rather dashing-looking Columbia shirt featuring ‘Diaz’ and ‘No.7’ below his name. So is that a sign of things to come?

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When he first signed for Liverpool midway through the 2021/2022 season, Diaz was unable to grab that jersey as it was assigned to Milner. However, after watching the long-serving veteran move on, there is an opportunity for him or another worthy player to emulate Sir Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, Luis Suarez and Milner himself.

Diaz currently wears the No.23 shirt. Explaining that choice upon his arrival, the £59m former FC Porto winger said: “The main reason for choosing it is because I used to wear it before, in the team where I started my playing career.

“Junior Barranquilla is where I took my first steps in the game, so I grew up wearing that [squad] number and things went well for me. That’s what gave me the idea to choose it again and wear it here. Hearing about those big names you’ve mentioned who wore it in the past, it’s down to me to wear it well, and do my best to help the team and the coaching staff in everything they need from me.”

Following heroes such as Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher in donning the No.23 shirt, Diaz knows exactly what it feels like to have that pressure on his shoulders. Of course, that would be ramped up further if he became the latest No.7 at Liverpool, but it would also spark-up added excitement 18 months on from his transfer.

Diaz, too, has form for switching to what is, seemingly, his preferred jersey. Having worn No.14 during his first steps on the international stage, the 26-year-old has recently become his country’s No.7.

So is the most important change of them all now on the cards? He might be Liverpool’s prime candidate.

New signing Alexis Mac Allister has taken over the No.10 shirt – which was left vacant after Sadio Mane’s departure to Bayern Munich last summer – while rumours suggest Darwin Nunez is ready to take over the No.9. The number was previously worn by Roberto Firmino, who like Milner, called time on his decorated Reds career at the end of last season.