Mamadou Sakho has changed squad numbers for the upcoming season, going from number 17 to number three. This switch comes after the previous number three, Jose Enrique, was allowed to leave the club earlier this summer.
The center-back is facing up to a month on the sidelines after a recurrence of his ongoing Achilles issue. This comes after missing much of last season and the chance to compete with France in the Euros this summer after getting hit with doping allegations from UEFA following a Europa League tie. The player has since had the ban lifted and has been cleared to resume his career.
Fans are eager to see him in a Liverpool shirt again, but those who bought a new number 17 kit with Sakho's name on it before the official change may have been disappointed by this news. Fear not, because the player is offering to autograph any 2016-2017 kit with the number 17 on it for free as a gesture of gratitude for their support.
Mamadou Sakho joining the ranks of the Liverpool number threes significantly increases the talent pool in that number's less-than-illustrious history. In the Premier League era, the shirt was worn by Steven Finnan, but also several duds such as the aforementioned Enrique and Paul Konchesky, among others.
With any luck, this will be the start of some better years for Liverpool's number three.