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Many would have given it a wide berth.

Following in the footsteps of a Liverpool legend is never easy and especially when his name is Steven Gerrard.

The No 8 shirt he wore with aplomb for more than a decade has lay unused since the Kop icon walked away from Anfield in 2015.

Now arguably the greatest player in Liverpool's illustrious history has ceremoniously passed it over. New boy Naby Keita has taken on the mantle.

Rather than be inhibited and regard the No 8 as putting extra pressure on his shoulders as he adjusts to life at Anfield, Liverpool's new £52.75million midfielder has decided to use it as a source of inspiration.

Keita had a number of options. He could have taken the No 10 shirt which has been available since Philippe Coutinho left for Barcelona back in January.

But his mind was made up. He wanted the number so closely associated with the heroics of Gerrard – the idol of his father Sekou Keita.

There's no doubt that the Guinea international has got both the talent and the cojones to do it justice. This is a man who has never shirked a challenge.

Keita, who grew up playing on the streets of Conakry, left his homeland when he was just 16 to pursue his dream of a professional career in Europe.

There were knockbacks along the way and the boy, who was nicknamed Deco by his dad after the legendary Portuguese midfielder, had to fight for everything.

Rejected by a number of French clubs, he was finally taken on by Ligue Two outfit FC Istres in 2013.

(Image: ndrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

He proved such a hit that former Reds boss Gerard Houllier advised Red Bull Salzburg to sign him a year later. It was a shrewd move as Keita helped them win back-to-back Austrian titles.

During his two years at RB Leipzig he established himself as one of the most dynamic box-to-box midfielders in Europe as he chipped in with 17 goals in 71 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

He has never forgotten his roots and on his visits home to West Africa he goes armed with boots to give away to the children who play on the streets of the Guinean capital.

“He reminds me of N'Golo Kante,” former Reds midfielder Didi Hamann told the ECHO.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“I’m not sure he wins quite as many balls as Kante, but in terms of technical ability and getting involved further forward he’s more gifted than Kante.

“Kante is a holding midfielder who doesn’t really create or score. But Keita can really play. He can play two positions - deeper or more advanced.

“He isn’t shy about putting a shift in. He’s strong in the tackle and he’s got good feet. Going forward, he’s clever with his runs. He’s pretty sharp and uses his body well with a low centre of gravity.

“It’s rare that you get a midfielder these days with those kind of all-round talents.”

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp wanted Keita on board last summer but RB Leipzig simply weren't willing to sell. The Reds ended up having two bids rejected before striking a deal for him to join this summer. Klopp is convinced that he will prove to be worth the wait.

Keita supported Barcelona as a kid but his under-12s team in Conakry wore Liverpool shirts and his dad Sekou, who has been telling him all about the club's history, is a lifelong Reds fan.

“I like the colour red, it suits me,” Keita beamed during his opening interview with LFCTV.

Asked about his message to fans, he added: “I hope I can make them smile. I have always got a desire to win. I believe I am a winner.”

The prospect of Keita playing behind Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino next season is mouthwatering.

Taking the No 8 shirt is a sign of his self-belief. The stage is set for him to flourish.