Vladi happy to relinquish famous shirt

The quiet and unassuming midfielder has often appeared to shrink under the pressure of wearing a number associated with Anfield legends such as Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish, and he admits that he has struggled to do the shirt justice during his time at the club.

Smicer said: "Gerard Houllier called me last week to ask me how I would feel about giving up the number seven shirt for Harry.

"I told him it was no problem and that I would happy to wear a different number.

"Though I'm not a particularly superstitious player - I wore the number 19 shirt when I was with Lens in France - it's true that the number seven has not brought me much luck.

"Maybe I will have a better season with this number 11 than I did last year with the number seven."

Though Smicer will be seen in a new number next season, he believes that it will still be placed upon the Red shirt of Liverpool.

He added: Gerard told me he was counting on me for next season. I know it's going to be difficult to get into the team, but it's been the same every year at Liverpool since I joined."