Alexis Mac Allister has spoken for the first time since he completed a £45 million move from Brighton to Liverpool.
The Argentina World Cup winner becomes the Reds’ first signing this summer.
Mac Allister, who cost an initial fee of between £45-50m, has revealed that he turned down the chance to take Steven Gerrard’s shirt at Anfield.
Instead, he has taken the number 10 shirt which he wore at Brighton and Argentinos Juniors.
The number has been vacant since Sadio Mane left Liverpool to join Bayern Munich and was previously worn by Philippe Coutinho, Michael Owen and Steve McManaman.
“I know how important number 10 is in football,” Mac Allister said.
“I had the possibility to take the number eight as well, which is a big number for this club because of [Steven] Gerrard of course.
“But I decided for number 10 because I use it in Argentina, in Brighton and under-23s national team as well. It’s a number that I really like and that’s why I chose it.”
