England have announced their squad numbers for Euro 2024, and the shirt bestowed upon a versatile Liverpool man has attracted the most attention.
The Three Lions will soon be boarding their flight to Germany ahead of their latest quest for continental stardom, having tried and failed to conquer Europe on 10 previous occasions.
Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia will be England's opponents in Group C, and Gareth Southgate's men open their Euros campaign against the former on June 16 at the Veltins-Arena.
However, preparations for the continental gathering did not go swimmingly for England, who managed to sink Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-0 on June 3 but were humbled 1-0 by Iceland at Wembley four days later.
Southgate has promised that his troops will "be better" during their opening clash with Serbia on June 16, though, and the morning after their second Iceland-inflicted humiliation, the 26 discovered their shirt number fates.
© Reuters
Trent Alexander-Arnold to wear number eight shirt
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was among the noteworthy recipients of a prominent number, being given the number eight jersey which has been traditionally reserved for midfielders in years gone by.
The 25-year-old was selected to occupy a central role in England's opening fixture with Bosnia, impressing with his stellar range of passing and also smashing in a vicious volley for the Three Lions' second of the night.
Alexander-Arnold was dropped to the bench for the Iceland fixture, and even though he was brought off the bench late on, he bombed down the right flank - as he does for Liverpool - instead of taking on midfield duties.
The Reds academy graduate still managed to fashion three chances from that side and had a late shot deflected just wide of the post, but his selection for the '8' suggests that he can expect to play in the centre for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.
The likes of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips have all donned England's '8' in recent years, while Frank Lampard was also synonymous with the famous midfielder's jersey during his playing heyday.
What other England Euro 2024 shirt numbers stand out?
© Reuters
There should not have been any doubt whatsoever about the goalkeeping position, but Jordan Pickford has retained the number shirt as expected, forcing Aaron Ramsdale to accept the backup role that he also plays for Arsenal nowadays.
Luke Shaw may have been a "long shot" for the Euros upon Southgate's preliminary selection, and the Manchester United man did not play in either warm-up match due to his muscle problem, but he is still bestowed with the '3'.
With Three Lions stalwart Harry Maguire not being passed fit in time, John Stones and Marc Guehi - who partnered each other against Iceland - have been granted the '5' and '6' respectively, suggesting that Southgate is banking on them as England's central pairing.
Much has been made of the battle for the right-wing spot between Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer, but the Arsenal man will be England's number seven, while Foden will sport the '11' and could therefore be set for a wide role rather than a central position.
Indeed, Real Madrid hotshot Bellingham will don the '10', behind all-time record scorer and number nine Harry Kane.
England Euro 2024 squad numbers in full
1 Jordan Pickford
2 Kyle Walker
3 Luke Shaw
4 Declan Rice
5 John Stones
6 Marc Guéhi
7 Bukayo Saka
8 Trent Alexander-Arnold
9 Harry Kane
10 Jude Bellingham
11 Phil Foden
12 Kieran Trippier
13 Aaron Ramsdale
14 Ezri Konsa
15 Lewis Dunk
16 Conor Gallagher
17 Ivan Toney
18 Anthony Gordon
19 Ollie Watkins
20 Jarrod Bowen
21 Eberechi Eze
22 Joe Gomez
23 Dean Henderson
24 Cole Palmer
25 Adam Wharton
26 Kobbie Mainoo
