Darwin Nunez new Liverpool No. 9, Big boots to fill for youngster
Robbie Fowler was dubbed a ‘God’, Andy Carroll became an FA Cup hero after his semi-final winner against Everton – and El Hadji Diouf made unwanted history… how Liverpool No 9s have fared as Darwin Nunez inherits Roberto Firmino’s shirt
- Darwin Nunez is Liverpool’s new No 9 after inheriting Roberto Firmino’s shirt
- El Hadji Diouf went a season without scoring, while Robbie Fowler excelled
- Mail Sport assesses how Liverpool’s No 9s have fared in the Premier League era
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
11. El Hadji Diouf
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
10. Iago Aspas
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
9. Rickie Lambert
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
8. Christian Benteke
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
7. Andy Carroll
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 and then permanently.
Andy Carroll largely struggled at Liverpool but scored in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton
6. Nicolas Anelka
Returning to the Premier League after two-and-a-half years, former Arsenal striker Anelka joined Liverpool on a short-term loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Frenchman was a key contributor to the Reds’ late charge to second place in the 2001-02 Premier League campaign, scoring goals against a number of clubs, including local rivals Everton.
However, Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier opted to not sign the loanee on a permanent deal.
Anelka briefly returned to PSG before making a move back to England on a permanent basis, signing for Manchester City for €15 million in the summer of 2002.
He went on to find his best form at Chelsea a number of years later after signing from Bolton in 2008.
Nicolas Anelka made an impact on loan at Liverpool but wasn’t signed on a permanent basis
5. Djibril Cisse
Having originally joined Liverpool from Auxerre in 2004, Cisse was quick to get off the mark for the Reds, scoring five times in his first 24 games.
However, Cisse was injured in a freak accident just 19 games into his Liverpool career, snapping his Tibia and Fibula against Blackburn Rovers. Cisse was initially ruled out for the remainder of the 2004-05 season.
The striker went on to make a miraculous recovery, and scored twice against Aston Villa in the final league game of the season as well as converting a penalty in the shootout as Liverpool won the Champions League final.
Cisse scored twice as Liverpool won the 2005 Super Cup against CSKA Moscow and also netted in the 2006 FA Cup final success against West Ham.
That summer Cisse completed a loan move to Marseille, which was made permanent a year later.
Djibril Cisse became an FA Cup and Champions League winner while playing for Liverpool
4. Ian Rush
Liverpool’s all-time top goalscorer with 346 goals in 660 appearances, Rush had two spells at the club, which were split by a spell at Juventus.
However, many of Rush’s best moments came before the introduction of the Premier League in 1992.
That said, he still managed to score 14 goals in each of the Premier League’s first two seasons and then hit 12 goals in the 1994-95 campaign.
Although he won five league titles with Liverpool, Rush didn’t experience glory in the Premier League.
Rush eventually went on to play for Leeds, Sheffield United, Newcastle and Wrexham before retiring after a period at Sydney Olympic in 2000.
Ian Rush is Liverpool’s all-time top scorer but many of his best moments came before 1992
3. Roberto Firmino
Arriving after the awkward mismatch of Benteke’s stature and Klopp’s new footballing philosophy, Firmino was evidence of a new era emerging at Anfield, and was a key piece in the German manager’s puzzle for winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020.
Alongside the 111 goals and 79 assists that Firmino provided, the Brazilian was key in creating linkup play with flashy passes to dangerous wingers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
The centre-forward earned the love of the Kopp and his teammates, becoming one of the star players in a squad which played new and exciting football.
Firmino vacated the number 9 upon his free transfer to Al-Ahli this summer amid the running down of his contract.
The adored striker was given a guard of honour at his final game before leaving the club.
Roberto Firmino was adored by Liverpool fans and teammates during his time at Anfield
2. Fernando Torres
Immediately making a name for himself by scoring on his Anfield debut for the Reds against Chelsea in August 2007 following his arrival from Atletico Madrid, Torres also won winning Premier League Player of the Month award in February 2008.
A fan favourite during his time at Liverpool, when at his best Torres terrorised opposing defenders.
In total Torres found the back of the net 81 times in 142 appearances for Liverpool prior to his controversial move to Chelsea in January 2011.
The then-British record fee of £50million placed added pressure onto the ex-Liverpool No.9, who had handed in a transfer request to force a move away from Anfield.
However, Torres struggled to find his feet and only scored 45 in 172 appearances for the Blues.
Fernando Torres became known as a prolific striker at Liverpool before his move to Chelsea
1. Robbie Fowler
First featuring in first-team action in 1993, following his graduation from the Liverpool youth setup, Robbie Fowler quickly made his way into the history books, becoming the second player ever to score five goals in one fixture for Liverpool in the second leg of their League Cup draw against Fulham
Dubbed as ‘God’ by many Liverpool fans, Fowler amassed a huge 183 goals in 369 appearances for the club over his two spells in Merseyside, accompanied by 49 assists.
This placed the Englishman seventh in the list of all-time goal-scorers for Liverpool and second in the list of No.9s for goal-scoring.
His most successful season in the 2000-01 campaign, which featured Liverpool winning the treble of the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup and the League Cup, was also the Englishman’s final season with the Reds before his move to Leeds.
Fowler would eventually return for a second spell at Liverpool after a period at Manchester City and was received, with the fans singing ‘God, welcome back to heaven’.
Robbie Fowler was one of Liverpool’s most prolific strikers across his two spells at the club
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