Carragher Calls for Liverpool to Revert to 'Proper Badge'

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has voiced his displeasure with the club's recent logo changes, urging them to return to their "proper badge".

Liverpool has been gradually shifting its digital presence towards a more prominent use of the historic Liver Bird emblem, aiming to enhance its global branding. This has led to a less frequent appearance of the club's previous crest, which featured a shield design and the iconic Shankly Gates.

Carragher, however, expressed his reservations about the new logo's aesthetic, particularly when compared to the crests of other European giants. Speaking ahead of the Champions League draw, he remarked on the visual disparity, saying: "I love club badges of the big European clubs and we are one of them. When I look at this picture ours just doesn’t look right. I know we like to be different at times but the last one was great."

He further amplified his stance on social media, directly addressing the club's official account with a plea: "Can we have our proper badge back please @LFC."

Liverpool's transition away from the shield logo began during the 2012-13 season when they opted for the Liver Bird on their kits, a tribute to the badge used in the 1950s. The shield design, first donned for the 1950 FA Cup final, has remained on merchandise, branding at Anfield, and various digital platforms.

The club has clarified that the shield crest will continue to be used in physical spaces, while the Liver Bird will be more prominent digitally. A statement released in June confirmed: "LFC’s crest will remain as the club’s official emblem and an integral part of the club’s brand identity, and will continue to be used in non-digital areas – including at Anfield, the AXA Training Centre, AXA Melwood Training Centre and club offices."

The introduction of the Liver Bird logo across digital platforms began during the lead-up to the 2024-25 Premier League season. This move has sparked a debate among fans on social media, with some echoing Carragher's sentiment while others favour the new design.

One fan argued: "I’m glad someone picked up on the matter, as it’s doing my head in. It looks off - the og one looks much better. Minimalism isn’t always better, especially with football crests. We should use it for internal comm/corporate/premium stuff, but not all online presence @LFC."

Others, however, expressed support for the Liver Bird, highlighting its long-standing connection to the club: "The Liver Bird is the proper badge," one wrote, while another added: "It’s all about the bird Carra the crest is only 32 years old the bird [has] been around since the 50s."

Despite the contrasting opinions, Carragher's vocal disapproval has shone a spotlight on the club's branding decisions, leaving the future of the shield design uncertain. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will heed the former player's call and revert to their "proper badge" in the near future.