Liverpool Had Talks With Puma, Nike 20-21 Kits "Ready", 21-22 Kits Almost Finished - New Balance vs Liverpool Kit Day Two Trial Updates
Oct 21, 2019, by Chris
The court trial between New Balance and Liverpool continued at the High Court in London today. In the second hearing day of the three-day trial new details about Liverpool's kit deal process got revealed.
The Reds and current kit suppliers New Balance are battling it out in court over the future of their partnership. New Balance insist they can "match" a rival deal that is on the table from Nike, satisfying a clause in their existing contract that would allow them to extend terms.
Liverpool have held kit deal "conversations" with Puma, a High Court trial was told. Liverpool managing director and chief commercial officer Billy Hogan was called to the stand to give evidence this morning, and when it was put to him that emails suggested the club had also been in conversations with Puma, he agreed.
Liverpool have decided Nike is their preferred option to take forward the supply of kits, with the club having sketched out a five-year contract starting for the 2020/21 campaign. The trial has already heard that Liverpool have agreed on a design for next year's shirt with Oregon-based giants Nike, with plans for the 2021/22 season almost finalised too.
It was also revealed that Nike have spent around £6million on fabric for the potential new kit and have received pre-orders from around 8,000 stores. They have factory space for 2.9m units reserved and training designs also in place.
Mr Daniel Oudkerk QC, for New Balance, suggested to Mr Hogan today: "New Balance has benefited from its relationship with Liverpool under the sponsorship from Liverpool….and Liverpool has benefited from the investment from New Balance.”
Mr Hogan replied: "From its investment, yes". Mr Oudkerk discussed the contents of an email from Nike which suggested the company is currently preparing for capacity of 2.9million units - the same as New Balance.
Mr Oudkerk presented another set of emails on the terms of the Nike offer, and said: “If the first teams fails for any reason to compete in the group stages of the Champions League, there are various reductions to their contract and to the obligations. “If that’s right that would be very material to you wouldn’t it, as commercial director you would want to know whether there were financial consequences for not being in the Champions League?”
Mr Hogan, Liverpool commercial chief, said he had not seen this element of the contract. Mr Oudkerk said that clause with Nike means there is no distribution obligation at all if Liverpool fail to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, but Mr Hogan said that had not been discussed.
The email included a longer form contract for the club to review - Mr Hogan said he had not looked at it...
The trial is scheduled for a final day tomorrow.
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Gabriel Jesus To Leave Adidas?
In his latest training sessions and first official game in Barcelona colors, Gabriel Jesus was spotted wearing a pair of black-painted F50 boots - a sign that he might be leaving Adidas.
His 'black' cleats are actually the laceless F50 2026 'Born for Goals', released earlier this year. The fact that they are painted shows that Jesus is currently at the last days of his contract with the brand, and could be looking for new partner.
Do you want to see Gabriel Jesus continue with Adidas, or to join a new brand? Let us know in the comments.
Adidas Gives Czechia and Singapore Identical Kit Designs
Following Czechia's high-profile switch from Puma to Adidas after 33 years, kit enthusiasts quickly spotted an uncanny similarity between Czechia's newly unveiled 26-27 home shirt and another recent Adidas addition: Singapore. Both national teams recently parted ways with long-term suppliers, with Singapore ending a two-decade partnership with Nike just weeks before Czechia ended their three-decade Puma era, only for both to receive remarkably similar shirts from the Three Stripes.
The resemblance between the two red shirts is unmistakable. Both jerseys rely on the exact same template and trim styling, built around a red base with a white crew collar bordered by thin navy blue piping, matching white sleeve cuffs with identical navy trim, and white Three Stripes across the shoulders. The primary visual difference is found in the texture of the fabric, as Singapore's kit incorporates a subtle tonal wave pattern, whereas Czechia's jersey arrives in a plain, solid red finish. Even the promotional launch shots look almost mirrored, with both federations photographing players seated or standing while holding an Adidas Tiro football.
The duplication stems from Adidas' streamlined template strategy when signing new federations on tight turnaround times. With both agreements sealed relatively late in the cycle, bespoke tailor-made graphics were kept to a minimum, resulting in what fans have labeled accidental twin kits on opposite sides of the globe.
Closer Look: Raphinha Tests Next-Gen Adidas Predator 27 Prototype Boots
FC Barcelona winger Raphinha has become the latest star to be spotted testing the next-generation Adidas Predator 2027 prototype boots. Following recent sightings of Jules Koundé and Anthony Gordon, the Brazilian forward laced up the unreleased fold-over tongue model during training, offering the clearest on-pitch look yet at what the Three Stripes have prepared for their flagship control silo.
Barcelona Debut Red Shorts and Socks Variant
Barcelona officially debuted a red shorts and socks variant with their 2026-27 home shirt in the away match against Valencia, avoiding a potential kit clash.
The combination was previously used in a friendly against Birmingham City last month and is set to be used regularly throughout the season. It also marks the fourth time in the last five seasons that Barcelona have used red as a supplementary colour alongside their home shirt.
The new combination made a memorable competitive debut as Barcelona secured a 5-0 win over Valencia.
Thanks to @jerseystory_vn for the information and collage.
