Introduction: Legacy of No. 9 of Liverpool: The Highs, The Lows, and What It Means Now
The Liverpool No. 9 shirt is a thing of the past. It is a badge of pressure and promise. A recent rundown of all Liverpool No. 9’s in the 21st century reminds us how much expectation is attached to that number.
The Best Who Wore the Famous Number for Liverpool
Leading that pack is Roberto Firmino. He was never the neatest finisher, but he had something special. Timing, selflessness, and skill. He played so nicely with Salah and Mane. His longevity and the trophies he helped win put him over many others.
Hot on his heels is Fernando Torres, whose initial Anfield years were flamboyant. Pace, incisive movement, and a lethal touch—that was Torres. He lit up big games and was a fan’s dream. He illustrated what the No. 9 can be when on song.
Then there’s Darwin Núñez, who’s fairly recent in the role. The points system emphasizes his genius, his mistakes, and his inexpensive misses—also his potential. He’s still writing his story. When he’s on song, he’s tremendous. When he’s not, you notice.
The Struggles: Names That Didn’t Fit the no. 9 of Liverpool
Not everyone who wore No. 9 has matched the heritage. Iago Aspas, Rickie Lambert, and El Hadji Diouf were instances wherein it did not work. Either the form, the form, or simply the pressure was just too much. The jersey was heavier than the minutes they could offer.
They are not ashamed. They are a reminder that greatness is also in the number. The contrast makes their achievements by Firmino, Torres, and even Núñez stand out more.
Why This Ranking Is Important Now
Now that Alexander Isak has inherited the No. 9 jersey, history is on the scale once more. This ranking allows fans to imagine what standards lie ahead. Isak will be compared to the greatest—Torres and Firmino—and to those who could not keep up with them. Comparisons are not always effective.
It’s attitude. The work ethic. The bond with the fans. Isak has to figure it out for himself. Take a lesson from the past No. 9s: what they did right and what they did wrong.
Author’s Opinion
I believe that list shows just how rare the “perfect No. 9” is. Good is not good enough—scoring in the big moments matters. Liverpool’s best No. 9s were those that dominated games, not merely scored goals.
Isak has giant shoes to fill, but he has legends to live up to. If he pairs drive with creativity, if he stays level-headed under pressure, he can hold his own alongside those legends. No pressure? There is pressure. But legacy doesn’t make itself—it’s constructed on the pitch.
As featured on Walkon.com
