Liverpool could hand Morgan Rogers perfect shirt number if £110m transfer splash comes off
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Liverpool have reportedly played down their interest in Morgan Rogers as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.
But, because there is still so much time between now and that plan finally requiring action, nothing can be truly ruled out regarding a future move for the Aston Villa star.
Rogers was recognised as one of England's brightest talents last month, when he was handed the 2025 PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Last season, the 23-year-old grabbed 14 goals and 16 assists in all competitions as Aston Villa finished sixth in the Premier League whilst reaching the Champions League quarter finals.
Therefore he has been linked with mega-money moves to some of London's major clubs like Chelsea and Tottenham, or now as it turns Liverpool, were he to wait for Salah to vacate his place at Anfield.
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The CIES Football Observatory already rates the England international at an estimated transfer value of €109m-127m (£95m-110m), and there is no reason to suggest this can't creep higher the better his performances get over time.
A significant facet of any transfer is the player selecting the squad number he will wear on the back of his shirt throughout his time with the club.
In Liverpool's case, they have created the perfect opening to entice Rogers to continue building his legacy at Anfield instead of Villa Park.
In a new interview with Roman Kemp for Sky Sports Premier League, the attacking midfielder was asked whether he would carry on wearing the No.27 shirt for the remainder of his career.
"I went to Lincoln on loan and it was the only number that looked remotely okay at the time," he responded.
"It wasn't my number but I was looking the numbers and thought none of these [suit me].
"It was because it had the seven in, [Cristiano] Ronaldo was my idol growing up.
I wasn't necessarily sold on it but because then I had a good loan, it kinda stuck with me.
"It's always the number I'd pick if I go to a club."
The last player to occupy that squad number at Liverpool was Darwin Nunez, who wore it in his maiden campaign at Anfield in 2022/23.
It has remained vacant ever since the Uruguayan switched to the No.9 shirt for the two seasons before his recent exit to Al-Hilal.
Therefore it remains open for Rogers to take should the Reds mount their next transfer assault for the Villa star.
Otherwise, Rogers may be forced to wait for the other shirt numbers he would desire most to become available at Liverpool.
Asked if he wants No.7 the most, he replied: "It'd be up there." Florian Wirtz became the Reds' new custodian following his £116m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
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And Alexis Mac Allister occupies the other he might want, as Rogers continued: "The No.7 has gone out of fashion, I think 10 is the new No.7 now.
"When I was growing up, seven was the number everyone wanted.