Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Naby Keita has inherited Steven Gerrard's iconic No 8 shirt at Liverpool.

The Guinea international was on Merseyside this weekend to prepare for the start of his Reds career.

Keita is expected to join Jurgen Klopp's squad for the opening day of pre-season training on July 2.

The ECHO revealed on Sunday he would take over the famous No 8, with Liverpool now confirming his squad number following his £53million move from RB Leipzig.

It is understood that Keita has requested to wear No 8 which hasn't been used since Gerrard left the club in the summer of 2015.

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

It's the same number he wore at Leipzig and the 23-year-old has been signing autographs for Liverpool fans and writing the No 8 next to his name.

The Reds thrashed out a deal with RB Leipzig last August to sign him this summer. They tried and failed to bring forward the transfer during the January window.

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

The fee was dependent on Leipzig’s finishing position in the Bundesliga. If they had ended up seventh or below, Keita would have cost Liverpool £48million. If Leipzig had forced their way into the Champions League spots the fee would have climbed to £59million.

However, their sixth placed finish, which secured a Europa League spot, meant that the Reds had to shell out £52.75million.

Before Gerrard, the Liverpool No 8 shirt was also worn by Stan Collymore, Paul Stewart, Oyvind Leonhardsen and Emile Heskey in the Premier League era.