New Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that he turned down the chance to wear the iconic No.8 jersey out of respect for Steven Gerrard. Gerrard had worn the number 8 shirt for ten years at Anfield before leaving the club in 2015, and it remained vacant until Naby Keita joined Liverpool in 2018. However, Keita's tenure with the number 8 shirt didn't meet expectations, and his contract was not renewed. With Keita leaving the club this summer, Mac Allister was offered the opportunity to take the No. 8 shirt, which he had previously worn while playing for Boca Juniors in Argentina. However, the new signing decided to keep the number 10 jersey that he had worn during his time at Brighton, following in the footsteps of Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane. Mac Allister expressed his admiration for Gerrard and explained that the No. 8 shirt holds significant importance at Liverpool. He mentioned that he hesitated before ultimately choosing the number 10, acknowledging the historical significance of the number 8 at the club. Mac Allister also discussed his decision to join Liverpool over rival clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea. He revealed that talks with Jurgen Klopp and the club's communication with his family played a crucial role in his decision. Mac Allister emphasized that Liverpool's style of play and the winning mentality instilled by Klopp aligned with his own ambitions to win titles. He recognized Liverpool's status as one of the biggest clubs in Europe and the world, with a rich history and passionate fanbase. The Argentine midfielder expressed his excitement to be a part of the team and contribute to their continued success.
