‘Means something more’: Curtis Jones says there’s a very special reason he chose to wear No.17 at Liverpool

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Curtis Jones has shared the reasons behind him choosing to wear the No.17 shirt for Liverpool.

The 21-year-old took the number ahead of the 2020/21 season. And speaking to Soccerbible, Jones explained why it’s a special number for him.

“With me, it’s to do with growing up. It’s the number of the door that I was at as a kid when I was growing up. So, that’s like the whole of my roots and my family, you know what I mean. It’s the beginning, it’s me,” said the Scouser.

“To have that on my back, it’s just always there with me. So, if I’m say holding the cup or I’ve scored a goal and then 17 is on my back, then it means something more to me. My family, my background and my journey are associated to that number. That’s the thing that I like to keep with me.”

A nice little story from the young man. Hopefully he can grow with it and do it justice throughout his time at the club.

Jones aiming to create a legacy in No.17

Jones isn’t the first academy product to wear the No.17 shirt at Liverpool. As it turns out, the England U21 star has some big boots to fill.

Steve McManaman wore the number for three seasons between 1993 and 1996. Macca scored 21 goals in that time, lifting the League Cup. He swiftly graduated to the No.7 shirt though, which he kept for the last four years of his Anfield career.

Fat forward four years and Steven Gerrard donned the number permanently. After winning the treble in 2000/01, Gerrard could have grown it into an iconic shirt for him and the club.

Instead, Stevie G opted for the much more fitting No.8 shirt, and the rest is history.

So, although there are some big names to follow, none have really made it stick. In the years between Gerrard giving it up and Jones taking up the mantle, there has been a mixed bag of players taking the number.

Josemi, Craig Bellamy, Danny Guthrie, Alvaro Arbeloa, Maxi Rodriguez, Mamadou Sakho and Ragnar Klavan have all filled the shirt. Some had more success than other, but none will be remembered for it.

So, there is the chance to make a bit of history for Jones. Should he stay at Liverpool for many years to come, with the No.17 on his back all the way, there is scope for him to make it his own.

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