Phil Thompson believes Liverpool should hand the famous number 8 shirt to a world-class signing this summer.

As Steven Gerrard prepares to leave Anfield at the end of the season, former Reds defender Thompson suggests his iconic number should be inherited by a big-name signing that the Merseyside club needs to make in the next transfer window.

"It would be difficult to hand it over to one of the current lads because it would be such a big responsibility," he said on Sky Sports.

"I think Liverpool will take their time and keep it free until it's time to submit the list to the Premier League. They'll keep it to see who comes in and hopefully there'll be a big enough signing to fill the shirt.

"My hero, Roger Hunt, wore the number eight in the 1960s, but the number seven has become the one that has been revered the most because it's been passed on from Kevin Keegan to Kenny Dalglish and, in more recent years, Luis Suarez.

"There's been some great players who have worn the number seven and the number eight has been passed around some fantastic players too, but it will now become a legendary number for Liverpool by the iconic status of Steven Gerrard.

"It still doesn't carry the same weight as the number seven, but if someone can take up Stevie's number and become another legend wearing it, then you never know."