The number 5 shirt at Liverpool holds a unique place in the club’s history. While most clubs reserve this number for a traditional centre-back, Liverpool turned it into a midfield jersey for decades before it eventually returned to the heart of the defence.
The early shift from defence to midfield
In the early 1970s, the number 5 was worn by traditional central defenders like Larry Lloyd and Tommy Smith. However, when Lloyd left the club in 1974, manager Bill Shankly chose not to buy a direct replacement. Instead, midfielder Peter Cormack was handed the shirt upon his return from injury. This tactical quirk sparked a long-standing Anfield tradition of midfielders taking the number.
The big names
Several iconic figures have left their mark on the shirt over the decades.
Ray Kennedy: After Bill Shankly signed him as a forward, Bob Paisley famously converted him into a left-sided midfielder. He wore the number 5 shirt with immense distinction, winning three European Cups and five league titles in a golden era for the club.
Ronnie Whelan: The Irish midfielder took full ownership of the jersey in 1982. He became one of the greatest captains for the club, winning six First Division league titles and marshaling the midfield for over a decade.
Milan Baros: In one of the more unusual numbering choices in modern football, Czech striker Milan Baros wore the number 5 during the early 2000s. He led the line in the shirt during the famous 2005 Champions League triumph in Istanbul.
Daniel Agger: The tattoed Danish centre-back took over the shirt in 2006 and held it for almost nine years, becoming a massive fan favourite for his loyalty and calm style of play.
Georginio Wijnaldum: The Dutch midfielder brought the number back to the midfield under Jurgen Klopp. He wore it during the Premier League and Champions League title wins, most famously scoring twice against Barcelona in the ‘corner taken quickly’ 2019 Champions League semi-final at Anfield.
The most recent players
Following the departure of Wijnaldum, the shirt transitioned back to the defence.
Ibrahima Konate: The French defender took the jersey in 2021. He was the most recent long-term holder, partnering Virgil van Dijk in a strong defensicve partnership until his contract expired in June 2026.
Jeremy Jacquet: For the 2026/27 season, the club have announced that newly arrived French Under-21 international defender Jeremy Jacquet will inherit the number 5 shirt following his move from Rennes. Let’s hope he can emulate some of the legends who have worn it before him.
