It happened again. Every few years, Liverpool fans wake up to find that the third kit or the goalkeeper jersey is a shade of plum, lilac, or straight-up deep violet. People lose their minds. They argue on Twitter—or X, whatever we're calling it now—about whether a club built on "Red" should ever touch the other end of the color spectrum. But here’s the thing about the liverpool football kit purple history: it actually sells like crazy.
You’ve seen it. From the 2018-19 deep violet third kit to the more recent Alisson Becker specials, purple has become the unofficial "second" color of Anfield. It’s weirdly divisive. Some purists hate it because it’s not white or yellow, the traditional away colors. Others love it because it looks sharp with jeans. Honestly, if you look at the sales figures from the Nike and New Balance eras, the purple shirts often outperform the more "traditional" green or white alternatives.
The 2018/19 Shift: When Deep Violet Became a Legend
Remember the 2018-19 season? It was the year of the 4-0 comeback against Barcelona. It was the year Liverpool pushed City to the absolute brink with 97 points. And, for many fans, it was the year of that specific deep violet third kit made by New Balance.
That kit was everywhere. It featured a faded orange trim that shouldn't have worked but somehow did. Nike has since tried to replicate that energy, but there was something about that specific New Balance "Deep Violet" that hit different. It wasn't just a fashion choice; it was the kit worn during some of the most frantic away matches of the Klopp era.
When people search for a liverpool football kit purple, they’re usually looking for that specific vibe. It was bold. It was a bit "out there" compared to the standard templates. It also marked a period where the club’s kit designers started realizing that the away and third kits didn't need to be boring. They could be lifestyle pieces. You could wear that purple shirt to a pub in town and not look like you were just heading to a Sunday League kickaround.
Why the Goalkeeper Kit Rules the Purple Empire
If we're being real, the most iconic purple kits at Liverpool usually belong to the man between the sticks. Alisson Becker has basically made the purple keeper jersey his own. There is a psychological element here that most people miss. Sports psychologists often talk about "color dominance" in sports. While red is the classic "aggressive" color, bright or deep purples create a massive visual profile.
Basically, it makes the keeper look bigger.
The 2023/24 season saw a move toward a more "Dynasty Purple" look. It’s a darker, richer tone than the "Hyper Grape" colors we saw in the past. If you look at the construction of these Nike kits, they use what they call "Dri-FIT ADV" technology. It’s basically a high-tech weave that maps sweat zones on the body. But for the average fan, it just means the purple looks matte and premium rather than shiny and cheap.
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The Science of Kit Design and Fan Backlash
Every time a new liverpool football kit purple gets leaked, the comments section is a war zone. "We're the Reds, not the Purples!" is a common refrain.
But designers aren't just picking colors out of a hat. They look at global fashion trends. Purple has been trending in streetwear for years. By moving away from the standard yellow away kits of the 80s, the club is tapping into a younger, more global demographic. You see these kits in Seoul, New York, and Lagos. It's a branding play.
Actually, there’s a bit of history to it as well. While Liverpool is synonymous with red, the club has experimented with almost every color in the rainbow. We’ve had the "toxic" green of the 90s, the beige "ecru" shirts that everyone now remembers fondly (despite hating them at the time), and various shades of blue before the club fully committed to the Shankly-inspired all-red look. Purple is just the modern evolution of that experimentation.
A Closer Look at the 2023-24 Third Kit
The 2023-24 third kit took a different approach. It used a "Space Purple" colorway with "Lush Teal" accents. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. The pattern was a bit chaotic—a sort of digital ripple effect.
What's interesting is that these kits are now made from 100% recycled polyester. Nike basically grinds down plastic bottles to make the yarn. So, if you’re wearing that purple kit, you’re technically wearing a bunch of old water bottles. It’s impressive how the texture feels so high-end despite being recycled material.
- Colorway: Space Purple / Court Purple / White
- Design Inspiration: A nod to the club's 90s experimentation.
- Cultural Impact: Widely worn by the Liverpool Women’s team, who have often debuted the purple kits before the men’s side.
Why Some Kits Become Grails and Others Fade Away
Why do some purple kits end up on "Classic Football Shirts" for £150 three years later, while others end up in the bargain bin? It’s all about the moments.
A kit is just fabric until someone scores a last-minute winner in it. If Liverpool wins a trophy while wearing a purple kit, that color becomes "historic." If they lose a miserable 1-0 away at a rainy bottom-half team, the kit is "cursed."
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That’s the beauty of football kit culture. It’s entirely irrational.
The 2018/19 purple kit is a "grail" because of the season's success. The newer iterations are still building their legacy. If you’re looking to buy a liverpool football kit purple, you have to decide if you want the modern Nike "Vaporknit" tech or the nostalgia of the New Balance era. The Nike kits tend to have a much tighter, "athletic" fit. If you're not a professional athlete, you might want to size up. Honestly, they’re cut for people with 5% body fat.
How to Spot a Fake Purple Kit
Since these kits are so popular, the market is flooded with "reps" or fakes. Here’s a quick tip: look at the crest. On the authentic "Match" versions (the ones the players wear), the crest is heat-pressed and has a very specific texture. On the "Stadium" versions, it’s embroidered.
If you see a purple kit where the embroidery looks "puffy" or the "Eternal Flame" on the back neck is crooked, it's a fake. Also, check the inner wash labels. Authentic Nike kits have a very specific "Global Store" tag with a serial number that you can actually Google to see if it matches the shirt model.
The Evolution of the Badge
Notice how the badge changes on these purple kits? Often, the club will use a monochromatic version of the Liver Bird. Instead of the full-color crest, you get a sleek white or silver outline. This is a deliberate choice to make the shirt look more like "lifestyle" apparel and less like a piece of sports equipment. It’s a polarizing move, but it definitely helps the shirt look better under a jacket.
Final Verdict on the Purple Obsession
Is the purple kit here to stay? Probably. The commercial success is too high to ignore. Liverpool is no longer just a local football club; it’s a global fashion brand. And in the world of fashion, you can’t just sell a red shirt every year. You need variety. You need something that stands out on a rack in a JD Sports or a Nike flagship in London.
The purple kit represents the "new" Liverpool. Bold, slightly commercial, but undeniably high-quality. Whether you love it or think it belongs in a blender, it’s a part of the club’s modern identity.
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Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to add a purple piece to your collection, don't just grab the first one you see. Follow these steps to make sure you get the right one:
1. Determine Your Fit: Decide between the "Match" (Player) version and the "Stadium" (Fan) version. The Match version uses Nike's ADV technology and is very slim-fitting. The Stadium version is more durable for everyday wear and has a relaxed cut.
2. Check the "Style Code": If buying from a secondary market like eBay or Depop, always ask for a photo of the small white tag inside the shirt with the style code (e.g., something like DJ7677-550). Search this code on Google. If it doesn't bring up the specific purple kit, it's a counterfeit.
3. Look for End-of-Season Clearances: Historically, third kits (which are usually the ones featuring purple) go on deep discount around May and June. You can often snag a purple kit for 40-50% off if you wait until the final home game of the season has passed.
4. Consider the Goalkeeper Jersey: If you want a more unique look, the purple goalkeeper kits often have more intricate patterns than the outfield shirts. They are produced in lower quantities, meaning they often hold their resale value better over time.
5. Care for the Fabric: If you get a Nike ADV purple kit, never put it in the dryer. The heat-pressed logos will peel off after a few cycles. Air dry only to keep the violet hue from fading.