No more excuses! Gyokeres completes the Arsenal puzzle

Can Barcelona really afford Marcus Rashford?

Mead vital to Lionesses' Euros bid again - but as a super sub

Introducing the 2025 British & Irish Football Lions!

When Kaka's AC Milan smashed Boca Juniors 

Editors' Picks

Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Pachuca vs Salzburg: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Manchester City vs Wydad Casablanca: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Monterrey vs Inter: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Seat Unique names founding partner of Hill Dickinson Stadium 

Man City outcast Walker reassured over pace questions & future

Newlyweds Dyer & Bowen do not fear famous Strictly ‘curse’

Man City warned off transfer gamble on free agent Pogba 

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Liverpool summer signings assigned temporary numbers</li><li>New adidas kit deal kicks in from August 1</li><li>Club retires Diogo Jota’s No. 20 shirt across all levels</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Why Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Liverpool’s other summer signings were wearing strange shirt numbers during the pre-season friendly with Preston

Club Friendlies

Liverpool

AC Milan

<p>Ahead of their <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/darwin-nunez-cody-gakpo-liverpool-tribute-diogo-jota-victory-preston/bltaf66dc607a6c900f#cs61a4583822fd3c4e" target="_blank">first pre-season friendly of the summer against Preston,</a> Liverpool handed their six summer signings temporary squad numbers ranging from 55 to 60. <a href="https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/new-signings-wear-temporary-lfc-shirt-numbers-pre-season" target="_blank">The club confirmed</a> that the likes of Florian Wirtz (58), Frimpong (59) and Giorgi Mamardashvili (56) are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/why-liverpool-wearing-old-nike-kit-not-new-adidas-shirt-pre-season-friendlies/blt4f7ced62e09516f9" target="_blank">wearing placeholders until the adidas deal activates on August 1</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The club has also retired the No. 20 shirt in tribute to Jota, further affecting number availability. With Liverpool’s kit deal with adidas yet to begin, the club is avoiding assigning permanent numbers under its outgoing Nike contract to prevent fans from buying outdated kits with incorrect player numbers.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Mamardashvili, Frimpong and Kerkez all featured in the victory over Preston, but there was no space for Wirtz as Liverpool take care managing the Germany international's workload after a long 2024-25 season. Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Alisson also weren't in the matchday squad.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Arne Slot's side will unveil their new adidas kits and permanent squad numbers for the likes of Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez at the start of August. Fans are encouraged to wait before purchasing shirts with player names and numbers until then.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Why Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Liverpool’s other summer signings were wearing strange shirt numbers during the pre-season friendly with Preston | Goal.com

Liverpool fans were left scratching their heads after new signings like Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez took to the field against Preston wearing unfamiliar shirt numbers in the 50s. The Reds have now explained why temporary numbers were used and when the official ones will be confirmed.

Next Match