Liverpool Squad Numbers Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez Might Take Next Season as Both Players ‘Agree’ to Anfield Moves
Arne Slot is shaping a revamped Liverpool squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with his plans reportedly centred around the potential arrivals of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz.
Frimpong has already sealed a transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool in a deal believed to be worth around £29.5 million. The Dutch international is set to take over from Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left the club to join Real Madrid after running down his contract.
Florian Wirtz is also expected to make the switch to Anfield soon, following in the footsteps of his former Leverkusen teammate Frimpong, even though Liverpool have had two substantial offers turned down for the midfielder.
According to German outlet Bild, Wirtz has already reached a personal agreement with Liverpool on a five-year contract. The report further suggests the 21-year-old is “on the verge” of completing a British record transfer worth approximately £120 million to join the reigning Premier League champions.
Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth is also closing in on a move, with the deal anticipated to cost Liverpool around £45 million. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Hungarian left-back has agreed personal terms and is said to be eager to finalise his move to Anfield.
“The agreement with the player is done. I’m told that Milos Kerkez can’t wait to join Liverpool,” Romano said.
“He’s really tempted by this opportunity, tempted to be part of this fantastic squad, believing that Liverpool were already fantastic in the season just completed, and it’s going to be even better in the next one with more additions.
“There is a fantastic feeling at the moment between Liverpool and Kerkez. The agent is the same agent who represents Federico Chiesa, so the relationship is very good, and now Liverpool are advancing on this deal.”
What Numbers are Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez Likely to Wear at Liverpool Next Season
Florian Wirtz has worn the number 10 shirt for Bayer Leverkusen over the past two seasons, having previously been assigned number 27. On international duty with Germany, the 22-year-old usually features in the number 17 shirt, although he has previously worn 24 as well.
Currently, the number 10 jersey at Liverpool belongs to Argentina international and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister. It is unclear whether he would be willing to give up that number to accommodate Wirtz. Curtis Jones wears the number 17 shirt, while his former number 27 is now unoccupied, last worn by Darwin Núñez before the Uruguayan switched to number nine.
Several other squad numbers at Liverpool are presently vacant, including 6, 12, 13, 15, and 16, all of which could be options for Wirtz. Additionally, numbers 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 are also available for selection.
Milos Kerkez finds himself in a similar situation. The Hungarian full-back wears number 3 for Bournemouth and number 11 for his national team. At Liverpool, the number 3 shirt is taken by Wataru Endo, while number 11 remains firmly in the hands of club legend Mohamed Salah, who is unlikely to give it up.
Jeremie Frimpong has yet to receive a squad number following his move to Anfield as a long-term replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Throughout his senior career, Frimpong has mostly worn the number 30 shirt, which is currently vacant at Liverpool—offering him a chance to maintain consistency.
Trent famously wore number 66 during his time with Liverpool, and it remains to be seen whether the club will reassign the number following his departure from the team he grew up supporting.
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