sport news How Liverpool No 9s have fared as Darwin Nunez inherits Firmino's shirt trends now
Darwin Nunez has been handed the No 9 shirt for the 2023-24 season at Liverpool, but whose footsteps will the striker follow in?
The Uruguayan arrived in Merseyside last summer and took up the No 27 shirt ahead of the 2022-23 campaign - but it was far from the debut season he'd have hoped for.
After it was announced on Wednesday that he would be wearing the No 9 shirt, Nunez revealed he would like to personally reimburse all of those who had bought the No 27 shirt previously.
'I'm really happy to wear No 9, and I'm very proud too,' Nunez said, referencing the 'other players' that have 'represented this number really well'.
The No 9 shirt became available following Roberto Firmino's departure to Al-Ahli on a free transfer this summer. Nunez opted to take the number, along with the role as Liverpool's main striker.
Mail Sport takes a look back at the previous owners of Liverpool's No 9 shirt in the Premier League era and assesses who was the best.
Darwin Nunez has been given the No 9 shirt at Liverpool after switching from No 27 last season
Diouf joined Liverpool from Lens in 2002, the same year in which he featured for Senegal at the World Cup.
However, the striker's time on Merseyside certainly didn't go to plan and he scored just six times in all competitions during his maiden campaign at the club.
The 2003-04 season was even worse for Diouf, who failed to find the net at all in 33 appearances - an unusual and unwanted statistic for a No 9.
Diouf was also known for his disciplinary issues as he picked up 21 bookings and two red cards while at Liverpool.
After joining Bolton Wanderers in an initial loan move he made the switch permanent in 2005.
Diouf scored just six goals in 79 appearances for Liverpool before moving to Bolton Wanderers
Aspas joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in 2013 for a fee of around £9million.
He got off to an encouraging enough start as he provided an assist on his debut for Daniel Sturridge in a 1-0 victory over Stoke.
However, he proceeded to score just one goal for Liverpool, which came against Oldham in the FA Cup.
Aspas struggled to adapt to English football and was unable to hold down a place in the side with there being a lot of competition. He eventually joined Sevilla on loan before heading back to Celta Vigo in a permanent switch.
His time at Liverpool is perhaps best remembered for his unfortunate corner against title rivals Chelsea in 2014 when he inexplicably passed to Willian and the Blues ended up scoring late on as they won 2-0 and closed the gap on Liverpool at the top.
Iago Aspas failed to make a major impact after he joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo for £9m
Having previously been released by Liverpool as a 15 year old, Lambert returned to the club in 2014 at the age of 32 in a fairytale move.
The former Southampton striker only spent one season at the club and scored three goals in 36 games.
It was still a memorable experience for Lambert though, with his strikes coming against Crystal Palace, Ludogorets and Aston Villa.
Lambert also scored from the spot in the penalty shootout during Liverpool's Europa League round of 32 loss to Besiktas.
After leaving Liverpool Lambert had spells at West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff.
Rickie Lambert achieved his dream of playing for Liverpool but only scored three goals
Belgium international Benteke joined Liverpool in 2015 after the Reds, who were still managed by Brendan Rodgers at the time, met the release clause in his Villa contract of £32.5million.
Benteke already possessed Premier League experience from his time at Aston Villa and scored his first goal for Liverpool against Bournemouth prior to an impressive overhead kick against Manchester United.
However, early into Benteke's Liverpool career Rodgers was sacked, with Jurgen Klopp taking charge.
Benteke struggled to adapt to Klopp's style of play and was unable to hold down a regular starting berth.
Following ten goals in 42 games for Liverpool Benteke signed for Crystal Palace after just one season at Anfield.
Christian Benteke spent just one season at Liverpool and struggled after Jurgen Klopp's arrival
Carroll joined Liverpool for £35milliion from Newcastle on transfer deadline day in January 2011 and replaced Fernando Torres, who had left for Chelsea in a £50million move.
During his first season at Liverpool his only goals came as he hit a brace against Manchester City at Anfield.
In the 2011-12 season Carroll wasn't able to find the net with regularity and ended up scoring just four goals in 35 Premier League games.
However, he won the League Cup and memorably scored a late winner against rivals Everton to send Liverpool through to the FA Cup final. Carroll also netted in the final, which Liverpool lost to Chelsea.
He subsequently moved to West Ham first on loan
