[RED Tezza]

Alright, i know this thread may be seen as a change of pace. one out of left field you might say. but please even if you have no opinion take the time to read as it took me 30 minutes and 800 spell checks to write this.

Whilst having a few beers at lunch and discussing footie the other day with a couple of work mates. The discussion turned to shirt numbers and the traditions of certain clubs identifying certain numbers with a legend of the club.

This mainly came about due to the news that Rooney was to be handed th coveted number 10 shirt for Man U this season and a big hoohaa in the media because it was Dennis Law’s old number.

Now I know we Liverpool Fans hold a lot of stock in the number 7 shirt due to legends such as Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley dare I say his name Steve McManaman.

Even when it was announced that Harry Kewell who had decided to Join Liverpool and would be handed the coveted number 7 shirt a lot of people, fans and media alike expected more from him than the would had he been given the number 5 shirt for example.

It’s become as recognisable as the traditional shirt for Liverpool the same way the number 10 shirt for the mancs or the number 9 shirt for the bitters.

But should it be the case? Ok some will say that Dalglish wore the 7 shirt therefore it’s the traditional shirt as it goes with the biggest legend. But I pose the question shouldn’t the Traditional shirt number be the shirt number that has had the most legends attached to it.

I know this isn’t an important topic neither does it fit with most people’s opinions but it would be interesting to see which shirt number can be attached to the most legends.

I find it unfair that whom ever takes over the number 7 shirt has added pressure heaped upon them due to those who came before. Even before they’ve kicked a ball.

I mean we’ve all read and heard the comments. Such and such is a disgrace to that shirt blah blah blah. Equally why does no-one place more expectation on Voro (As he’s been given the number 10) look at the previous custodians of that particular number . from memory John Barnes, Michael Owen, Luis Garcia and even before hand.

Surely the Number 10 shirt for us holds tradition especially regarding the John Barnes aspect, last summer voted third in the offal’s 100 players who shook the Kop series behind Kenny and Stevie G.

Or do fans even bother with traditions such as this any more? Is it more subject the media like to occasionally play on? Bringing to the fore as a reminder that such and such has a lot to live up to as “insert any legend’s name here” wore that number with distinction?

Or do fans regard a legends shirt number above that of a squad player for example.

I’ve already named a number of players who have worn the 7 shirt for us and done it justice in terms of the traditional Liverpool player. Or is that why we old that shirt number in such high regard, or again is it just because Kenny wore it.or is it both?

So do you expect more from a Liverpool number 7 than you would from say a Liverpool number 8? Or a Liverpool number 6? And is it down to the fact of who wore the shirt before. And if so please bare in mind that Souness wore 8 when I was growing up and Hughes, Hansen. Wore number 6.