Recently, we did an FKF that imagined a world where Liverpool had moved to Reebok slightly earlier.
It just so happened that a similar request was on the list for a decade or so previously:
Today, we will stick with the 1984 versions but the 1986 editions will feature further down the line.
While Ipswich Town did wear something similar but different, the France design didn’t feature in England – its 1998 descendant did, worn by Crewe Alexandra – and the main issue is incorporating the sponsor. The ‘L.F.C.’ of the Liverpool crest is enlarged so as to fit on the largest horizontal stripe, with the two-tone crest applied to the shorts, too.
The non-contrasting collars stay, as per France – Liverpool only had that on their home on the 1985-87 kits – but the flag-style adidas stripes are jettisoned.
The three-stripe number style used by France – seen at World Cups from 1974-1990 inclusive – was used in Britain, but by the mid-1980s it had been superseded by the blockier style that Manchester United and Liverpool wore.
In real life, Liverpool’s first set of adidas kits included black alternative shorts for the white kit (the home shorts and socks also appeared with the white shirt in a game against West Ham United) but these only had white trim.
Our attempts tries to tie things together a bit more – opinions on the success of that may vary.
Feedback is welcome, along with requests for future FKFs – comment below or tweet @museumofjerseys.
10/10 👏🤩 it’s really hard to go wrong with 80s adidas kits I.m.o but I really like these!
These are staggeringly good. The attention to detail in having the Liverbird perched on the top stripe, and the sponsor lines appearing like a penmanship exercise… beautiful!
Cheers Murt – and feel free to make any requests of your own, new ideas always welcome!