Liverpool will get unique kit design as Nike ditch templates

Liverpool fans concerned that next year’s switch to a new kit supplier means the Reds will wear a generic-looking jersey have had their fears assuaged.

The Reds have certainly had iconic and unique-looking kits while New Balance (and Warrior previously) have been involved in production.

Some of them, including this season’s home kit, have been excellent representations merging Liverpool’s history with current style.

It’s fair to also say that the away and third kits have been unique, though that has not always translated to everybody liking the at-times wild colour combinations and eye-catching patterns.

OSLO, NORWAY - Wednesday, August 7, 2013: Liverpool's Luis Alberto in action against Valerenga during a preseason friendly match at the Ullevaal Stadion. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Now, though, the Reds are switching to Nike – who have at times produced their own memorable jerseys, including recent Inter Milan kits, a host of iconic Brazil shirts, many of Juventus’ and Barcelona’s finest efforts and the massively popular Nigeria kit from the 2018 World Cup.

On the other hand, many club kits produced by Nike have in recent seasons followed a template, with hosts of teams wearing essentially the same cut, just in their own club colours.

It led some to worry that Liverpool would just be ‘one of many’ when, for a large number, the kit worn by the players was another defining and distinctive area where this club was different to others.

But that won’t be the case for 2020/21, when Liverpool’s new kit will, for the first time in the Premier League era, be (surely!) worn by the reigning champions.

Heidi Burgett, a senior director at Nike, tweeted on Wednesday that all templates have been replaced by a much larger range of choice for designers to work with.

“We’re ditching the templates. For the 2020 kits, Nike designers had 65 chassis options available to them across varying necklines, sleeves, cuffs, badge placement, etc. From hand-drawn prints to custom fonts, each team’s look will be its own.”

Some new kits produced by Nike for 2020 and beyond have already been on show, representing the diverse approach taken by the designers and the inspirations behind them.

https://twitter.com/heidiburgett/status/1225132329368244225

https://twitter.com/heidiburgett/status/1225132028221325318

https://twitter.com/heidiburgett/status/1225132212762312704

It’s an interesting insight into the changing philosophy behind creating new kits, and quite aside from Liverpool fans, most football supporters around the world would no doubt prefer their team wasn’t templated to be the same as many others.

The big summer reveal will be an interesting one in a new age for the Reds, in terms of both on-pitch dominance and off-pitch progress.