Liverpool starlet Curtis Jones handed Steven Gerrard's old No 17 for next season

Liverpool fans' hopes that Curtis Jones can follow in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard are becoming a reality, with the Reds trusting the teen with the Anfield icon's old number for next season.

Jones will swap 48 for 17 on his back next season, a shirt Gerrard wore from 2000 to 2004 before taking his iconic No 8 jersey.

The 19-year-old lifelong Reds fan is being touted for big things after making his Premier League debut this season, penning a long-term deal keeping him on Merseyside to 2025 earlier this month.

One of Gerrard's memorable moments wearing 17 saw him smash in a trademark thunderbolt against Everton in a 2001 FA Cup clash, celebrating by storming down the Goodison Park touchline and cupping his ear towards seething rival fans.

Jones' first meeting with the Toffees will also live long in Reds fans' memories, as the teen curled in the winner to hand a youthful Liverpool a 1-0 win in the FA Cup third-round, embarrassing a full-strength Everton.

A month later, Jones wore the captains armband as Liverpool's youngest ever starting line-up beat Shrewsbury 1-0 in the fourth-round replay.

The midfielder also fired in his first Premier League goal this term, netting against Aston Villa after lockdown in a 2-0 victory - with Jones now boasting three goals in eight first-team games.

Fans of the Premier League champions reacted with delight to the number change, with Hendo_Mania writing: 'Following the footsteps of captain fantastic... big season ahead.'

Other Liverpool stars to wear 17 were Steve McManaman, Paul Ince and Craig Bellamy, while some some supporters also light-heartedly brought back memories of Ragnar Klavan's stint with the number.