Ronald Araújo’s Liverpool Squad Number Confirmed: Every Player to Wear No. 33 Before Him

Ronald Araújo is officially a Liverpool player, but a lot is still unknown about just how good he will be. The Uruguayan has arrived on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with an option to make the deal permanent for €55 million (around £47 million).

At this stage, it does feel unlikely that this clause will ever be activated, Araújo seemingly a temporary solution, and this may be reflected in his choice of squad number.

With all the usual first-choice player numbers currently allocated, including by Jérémy Jacquet, who is the new number five, the 27 year old has opted to go for number 33. When asked about this choice, this is what Araújo had to say:

"It’s a number that I like, it’s a number that is special to me. Funnily enough, way back when I made my debut as a professional, that was the number that I was wearing back then. But it has a personal meaning for me as well, it has a meaning which is all to do with my faith and my relationship with Jesus and God and religion... It’s a number I’m very pleased on a number of levels to be wearing."

Ronald Araújo on being number 33

So, who else has previously been number 33 for Liverpool? Well, it is actually a decade since anyone showcased this particular squad number at Anfield, and Araújo has the potential to be the best of the bunch.

Liverpool's former number 33s

Liverpool's most recent incumbent of the number 33 shirt is Jordan Ibe. After joining from Wycombe Wanderers as a 16 year old, the winger never really established himself as a key players under Brendan Rodgers so, after loan spells at Birmingham City and Derby County, was sold to Bournemouth for £15 million, a club-record for the Cherries at the time.

However, Ibe's career endured a down hill trajectory from there. He singed a three and a half year deal with Turkish side Adanaspor in January 2022, but leaving a few weeks later, without ever having made an appearance. After that, he appeared in non-league for Ebbsfleet United, Hayes & Yeading United, Hungerford Town and Sittingbourne. Still only 30, Ibe is currently without a club, after making nine appearances for Lokomotiv Sofia in the Bulgarian First League last season.

Another former Liverpool number 33 is Jonjo Shelvey who, slightly unfairly to him, epitomises the club's mediocre era of the early 2010s. The midfield did have a good career, making 278 Premier League appearances, winning six England caps, but was never up to Liverpool's high standards.

Elsewhere, Sebastián Leto made just four appearances for the Reds and Layton Maxwell only one, but the Welshman did mark his with a goal, on target against Hull City in the Worthington Cup, now Carabao Cup, back in 1999. Youth product Alan Navarro never made his senior debut, coming closest when he was named on the bench by Gérard Houllier for UEFA Cup quarter-final ties against Roma.

Thus, somewhat amazingly, Neil Mellor might just be Liverpool's greatest-ever number 33, for now at least. He appeared 22 times for the Reds, scoring six goals, but some of these were ultra-important. He put Rafa Benítez's team in front against Olympiacos just six minutes before that Steven Gerrard winner, without which the miracle of İstanbul would never have happened. The striker is also remembered for a stoppage time winner to defeat Arsenal at Anfield in November 2004, shortly after Arsène Wenger's side had seen their unbeaten streak shattered.

Thus, Araújo could realistically eclipse all of those who have come before, even if he does only remain on Merseyside for one season. The Uruguayan will be hoping to be seen in public in his new colours for the first time when Como visit for a friendly on Sunday evening.

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