In football, few things hold as much emotional weight for supporters as the club’s kit. 

It is more than just fabric stitched together – it’s a badge of identity, memories and a symbol of belonging. 

For Liverpool fans, the sight of their team wearing red evokes a deep sense of pride and tradition that stretches back to generations. 

While Adidas’ return as Liverpool’s kit supplier was announced some time ago, the excitement truly reignited on Friday with the unveiling of the brand-new home and away kits for the 2025-26 season. 

Liverpool's new Adidas kit deal compared to Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd after huge $400M boost	Liverpool unveils new Adidas home and away shirts as 10-year partnership begins	When Liverpool will wear new Adidas home kit for first time as fresh design unveiled

This moment marked more than a fresh design launch; it was a celebration of a historic partnership that runs deep within the club’s DNA. 

Liverpool is not just a football club, it’s a global institution with a heritage rich in triumph, passion and cultural significance. 

Over time, the kits have evolved in style and design, shaped by different manufacturers and different trends.

Yet through every change, a strong connection has remained. 

Adidas’ comeback after more than a decade away not only recalls some of the Reds’ most celebrated eras but also sets the stage for a future that honours tradition while embracing modernity. 

This reunion goes far beyond a sponsorship logo or a financial contract, it is a renewal of a creative and cultural partnership that has helped define Liverpool’s identity on and off the pitch. 

From the classic kits worn by legends like Sir Kenny Dalglish to the modern-day heroes, Adidas have been a part of the club’s journey and as they embark on this new chapter, it’s not about replicating the past but about reintroducing an old voice to a new conversation. 

THE THREE STRIPES 

For many, Adidas is more than a logo from the past, it’s a symbol of two distinct chapters of Liverpool Football Club – both marked by identity, ambition and recognisable style. 

The first, from 1985-1996, coincided with one of the club’s most dominant domestic periods. 

Players like Dalglish, Ian Rush, John Barnes and Steve McManaman wore shirts that have since become part of Liverpool’s visual mythology.

Getty Images.

Clean silhouettes, crisp collars and the unmistakeable three stripes defined an era of substance over flash. 

After a decade away, Adidas returned again in 2006, producing kits worn by Steven Gettard, Fernando Torres, Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso during another competitive period – one that included memorable Champions League runs and strong domestic campaigns.

The designs during this second spell were more modern but retained a clarity and strength that resonated with supporters. 

The 2008-09 home kit for instance, with its deep red tone and white shoulder stripes, remains one of the most recognisable of the Barclays Premier League era.

Across both eras, the manufacturer consistently showed an understanding of Liverpool’s identity. 

They didn’t chase trends or overdesign – but reflected the club’s character; confident and rooted in tradition. 

That design philosophy left a mark and even mow, retro reproductions from both periods remain some of the most popular among supporters. 

THE YEARS BETWEEN 

In the years that followed Adidas, Liverpool entered a period of experimentation – not just in the squad evolution or managerial shifts, but in the way it presented itself visually. 

Kit partnerships changed hands multiple times over the next two decades, each bringing its own take on the club’s identity. 

Reebok, Warrior and New Balance all had their moments – from sharp tailoring to bold, unconventional designs. 

Some kits stood the test of time, others faded quietly, but each brand left a mark whether through success, innovation or sheer ambition. 

In 2020, the club signed a landmark deal with Nike, a global statement as much as a commercial one. 

The partnership delivered on reach and success, coinciding with frequent Champions League contention and a long-awaited second Premier League triumph just last season. 

Nike’s sleek design language appealed to a new generation, with a focus on global branding and lifestyle appeal, yet for many supporters, something felt missing. 

A deeper sense of connection to the club’s heritage. 

Nike’s designs were clean and modern but not always distinctly Liverpool. 

With Adidas now returning, the shift feels like more than a stylistic change to a visual vocabulary that understands the tone and the expectation of those who play for the football club. 

CUT FROM TRADITIONLiverpool FC.

The new Liverpool kits mark a return not just for Adidas, but for a design language that feels unmistakeably tied to Liverpool’s identity. 

The home shirt offers a darker red than in recent years – rich, matte and serious in tone. 

White trim on the cuffs and collar offers just enough contrast, while the three stripes along the shoulders do most of the talking. 

Icon Sport Images.

A design that forms serious shades from the 2006-07 home shirt, worn by the legendary duo of Gerrard and Torres.

Where the home kit leans into tradition, the away kit takes a cleaner, more architectural route. 

The off-white base is crisp and neutral, but the details matter. 

A shielded Liver Bird crest draws from Anfield’s early 1900s visual motifs, while fine black and red trims add structure. 

The overall effect is minimal but deliberate – a kit that could just as easily belong to the archives as the future.

LFC Women’s Sofie Lundgaard alongside club-captain Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch.

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda.

Both shirts reflect a restrained confidence, kits that don’t need explanation or backstory to feel right. 

In an era where designs are often overloaded with concept, Liverpool and Adidas have opted for clarity. 

That, in itself, is a statement. 

A SEAMLESS FIT

What makes this new era compelling isn’t just the designs themselves but the intent behind them. 

In a football landscape increasingly shaped by hyper-marketing, limited drops and manufactured hype – this collaboration feels refreshingly grounded. 

A confidence in craft from both Liverpool and Adidas. 

It also marks a return to rhythm. 

The Reds have often been at their best when their identity on and off the pitch, is in sync. 

Adidas seem attuned not only to the club’s heritage, but to its present-day tempo. 

In many ways, this isn’t about going back – it’s about moving forward with something that fits aesthetically, culturally and philosophically. 

As Liverpool step into another chapter of ambition, they do so in kits that don’t just look right, they feel right and in football, that is often where everything starts.

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