There’s more than a hint of familiarity about Liverpool’s home shirt for the 26/27 season from adidas. The design draws inspiration from the 1989–91 home jersey, blending heritage aesthetics with a contemporary all-over print.
Probably fair to say that the 25/26 season hasn’t quite gone the way Liverpool fans would’ve wanted, with their Premier League title defence never really amounting to much. But with the end in sight, attention briefly turns to next season with the reveal of their new home shirt from adidas, which reinterprets a design synonymous with success and identity into a bold, modern expression.
The influence of the late-1980s original is unmistakeable. That era’s shirt, famed for its bold geometric pattern and iconic Candy sponsor, has long been associated with one of Liverpool’s most successful periods, when Kenny Dalglish led the Reds to the 89/90 league title.
At the heart of the new shirt is a rich, deep red base – a timeless staple of Liverpool’s identity. This is elevated through a full-body graphic that reinterprets the dynamic shapes of the original late-80s design. The updated pattern introduces sharper lines and a more refined execution, giving the jersey a distinctly modern feel while preserving its retro roots.
There’s no doubt that it’s a nice looking shirt, one that honours the visual DNA that supporters associate with past triumphs while incorporating the clean, streamlined aesthetics expected in today’s game. But do we need to keep dipping into the past? It feels like everything has a nostalgic twist to it these days. That’s probably a wider conversation. Here, it works, with the adidas logo, club crest and trim elements all rendered in crisp white, reinforcing the classic Liverpool look and ensuring the bold red remains the centerpiece. At some point though, designs are going to need to start to look forward more than they look back.
Pick up the new Liverpool 26/27 home kit at prodirectsport.com/soccer
