Mac Allister found weight of history too much picking Liverpool shirt number

Alexis Mac Allister says he turned down the chance to wear Liverpool's iconic No. 8 shirt as it carries too much historical significance.

The Argentine midfield admitted he "hesitated" when he was offered the jersey, which had been vacated following Naby Keita's departure, as he wasn't sure if he'd want to step into the shoes of club legend Steven Gerrard, who wore the number for 11 seasons between 2004 and 2015.

He ended up choosing the No. 10 shirt instead, which is a testament to Gerrard's legacy considering that huge names have worn 10 for Liverpool over the years including John Barnes, Michael Owen, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane.

"One day, I was talking to my dad when he asked me what number I would wear for Liverpool," said Mac Allister. "I knew there were several numbers available – including 10 and 8.

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"The No. 8 shirt is a very important number in that club because of Gerrard, so I hesitated a bit. I ended up choosing the 10, but 8 is a number that I like a lot and has a history at the club.

"I know how important the No. 10 is in football," he added.

The previous incumbent, Mane, achieved legendary status at Anfield, winning six major honours donning the famous No. 10 shirt, including the Premier League and the Champions League.

Should Mac Allister have taken the No. 8 shirt? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

But the number 10 shirt hasn't always brought those who wore it success, as it was also sported by Reds flops Joe Cole and Andriy Voronin.

Mac Allister became Liverpool's first signing of the summer after being snapped up from Brighton for £35m earlier this month.

In doing so the 24-year-old will become the 10th World Cup winner to turn out for the Reds when he makes his debut next season, and the first to feature for the club since 2010 World Cup winner Pepe Reina left in 2014.

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