Bradley Barcola has already revealed which shirt number he will where at Liverpool

Bradley Barcola has already revealed which shirt number he will where at LiverpoolBradley Barcola Set for Liverpool No 29 Shirt After £123m Summer Move

Liverpool are about to wrap up one of the biggest deals of the window, with Bradley Barcola set to complete a £123m move to Anfield. A medical is booked, a five-year contract is ready, and the France forward is expected to arrive as the club’s marquee attacking signing of the summer.

There is a practical detail that already looks settled too. Barcola is expected to take the No 29 shirt, not the No 11 vacated by Mohamed Salah. That choice is personal, fixed, and by his own admission, non-negotiable.

Barcola shirt number already decided

Several squad numbers are available, including 13, 16, 17, 24, 26 and 27, though Barcola’s preference has been clear for some time. In a previous interview, he explained exactly why No 29 matters to him: “It’s actually a funny story.

“When I was younger, I used to play FIFA. In the story mode with Alex Hunter, this number became symbolic for me. I thought to myself: ‘The day I go pro, it’ll be number 29.’

“And here I am, I adopted it, and now I’ll never let it go.”

Simple enough. A childhood attachment became a professional habit, and now it is part of the player’s identity. Footballers can be superstitious, sentimental, or both. In this case, the number is staying.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool squad history behind No 29

If Barcola does take 29, he will become the first Liverpool player to wear it since Arthur Melo in 2022-23. Previous holders include Dominic Solanke, Fabio Borini, Stephen Wright and Brad Friedel. It is hardly one of the club’s glamour numbers, which may suit a new arrival who prefers to make his own mark rather than borrow someone else’s status.

Barcola celebration carries clear meaning

Barcola has also spoken about his trademark celebration, pointing both fingers to the sky after scoring. There is no mystery there either. “Every player has their own way of celebrating, and for me, it’s by pointing my fingers to the sky.

“I thank God for everything he’s given me. It’s my way of paying homage to him every time I score.”

Liverpool are buying pace, directness and end product. They are also getting a player who already knows exactly what number he wants on his back.