Competition Rules Would Not Allow Nike Air Max Liverpool 20-21 Fourth Kit - Alternative Match Version to Be Released?
Jan 5, 2021, by Pat
Now that we've pretty much confirmed the design of the Liverpool 2020-21 fourth kit, a big question remains:
The kit wouldn't be allowed
Would such a kit, with an oversized 'Nike Air' logo on the right chest, even be allowed in official competitions? The short answer is that it wouldn't.
As can be seen in the UEFA kit regulations, quoted below, the size of the logo found on the leaked Liverpool shirt would exceed the 20cm² limit.
"The manufacturer identifications may be displayed as follows: On shirts: one manufacturer identification not exceeding 20cm², on the chest, above any sponsor advertising."
Now, there are a number of options, none of which are fully convincing, for Nike and Liverpool to follow.
1. Not wear the kit in official games
It could be that Liverpool will simply not wear the kit in official matches. While that would be disappointing to some, there certainly would also be quite a few traditionalists out there who would appreciate the club not using four different kits in the same designs.
There are precedents for this, in particular with Nike. For example, England released two bold 'remixes' of the 2018 away kit, which were only worn ahead of two matches in late 2018.
Similarly, Manchester United wore their CNY jersey during warm-up but never in an official match.
2. Use an altered version in official games
There's also the option of Liverpool using a changed version of the kit, featuring a smaller or altogether different supplier mark on the chest. This could either be replicated on the 'Vapor Match' version of the shirt (we can't confirm its existence but it's difficult to imagine there won't be one) or just on the match-issued shirts for the players.
There might be an alternative 'Match' version
The latter in particular would be quite odd and not something that's really happened before - it cannot be ruled out however.
Twitter user @KdogTrue has provided six different edits of the original design that would all comply with the Premier League and UEFA's kit rules.
Should that be what will be done, we would definitely expect it to be the version that's closest to the original 'Nike Air Max' design, which would be the first on this case.
This option was supported by kit insider @hendocfc, who tweeted that there would be an alternative version with a different logo.
There will be a player issue version (the "Authentics", duh!) with a regular Nike logo, at least from what I know. Might be wrong.
— Jack Henderson (@hendocfc) January 4, 2021
3. Wear it in a friendly
It's also possible that this shirt, which many have likened to a baseball jersey, was supposed to be worn in overseas friendlies in the US or Asia.
None of that has taken place last year and it's also fairly unlikely for this year, due to Covid. We think that this option is less likely given the fact that the shirt was always only supposed to be released midway through the season, a time were clubs don't usually play friendlies at all.
Liverpool traveled to the USA in 2019 but similar plans did not work out in 2020 and the club ended up going to Austria instead.
What do you think about all this? What's the most likely option in your opinion? Comment below.
Annapolis Blues Let Season Members Choose 2027 Home Kit From 8 Puma Options
American side Annapolis Blues FC have launched a member vote to select their official home kit for the 2027 campaign. The club, which competes in both USL League Two and the USL W League, has continued its tradition of community-driven design decisions by unveiling eight distinct Puma concepts for their supporters to choose from.
The eight proposals showcase a wide range of looks while keeping the Maryland club's signature royal blue palette, circular blue crab crest, and adaptic chest sponsorship. The options range from modern graphic looks—including a fading chest burst, jagged side accents, and quartered two-tone blocks—to classic aesthetics featuring a navy diagonal sash with gold detailing, a bold white chevron, horizontal bands, and refined pinstripes complete with a polo collar.
Voting is exclusively open to 2027 Season Membership Holders, who received their voting ballots directly by email. In addition to deciding the official matchwear for both the men's and women's squads, members will also receive the winning home jersey alongside a commemorative scarf as part of their membership benefits.
Hartlepool United 26-27 Third Kit Released
Hartlepool United and technical partner Meyba have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 2026-27 season. Directly inspired by the club's archives, the shirt serves as a modern reimagining of Pools' memorable 1995-96 away strip, combining unmistakable mid-nineties aesthetics with contemporary sportswear performance.
The Meyba Hartlepool United 26-27 third jersey features a striking split design. Its upper half is clean white, layered with bold angular diagonal stripes in red and pale blue that flow down into a solid red lower section detailed with subtle pale blue vertical pinstripes. The top is finished with a retro black polo-style collar that incorporates red trim and a functional zip neck. Additional bespoke touches include an embroidered ship's wheel crest, "Est 1908" placed beneath the outer back collar, and the rallying cry "NEVER SAY DIE" printed inside the collar.
Completing the nostalgic ensemble, local partner Camerons Brewery returns as the primary front-of-shirt sponsor, directly echoing the brewery's Strongarm branding seen on the original 1995-96 design. Matching red shorts and red socks round off the full kit.
Canberra United 26-27 Home and Away Kits Released
Ninja A-League Women side Canberra United has officially unveiled its new home and away kits for the 26-27 season, crafted by Australian sportswear brand Konqa. The partnership between the club and the Melbourne-based manufacturer enters its second consecutive campaign after Konqa first took over United's kit production last year.
The Canberra United 26-27 home shirt arrives in the club's traditional bright green hue. It showcases a modern sublimated design featuring tonal diagonal brush strokes across the torso, paired with neat dark green and white detailing along the crew collar and cuffs. Gym chain Club Lime continues as the primary sponsor on the chest, positioned below a centrally placed Konqa logo and a raised silicone club crest topped with two championship stars.
Contrasting the vibrant home shirt, the 26-27 away jersey switches to a deep forest green base. It carries the same sharp graphic patterning sublimated throughout the fabric, finished with crisp white and bright lime trims around the neckline and sleeves. Supported by University of Canberra across the front, the new collection provides the capital club with a distinctive and cohesive visual identity for the upcoming campaign.
No More Tolledo: ASA de Arapiraca Announce Junpe Kit Deal
Brazilian side Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense (ASA) has officially announced a new technical partnership with sportswear brand Junpe Uniformes. The deal will see the São Paulo-based company take over as the club's official kit supplier starting with the 2027 season, replacing previous manufacturer Tolledo Sports.
The partnership marks another significant expansion for Junpe across Brazilian football. Founded in 2018 in Bernardino de Campos, the manufacturer has quickly built a strong presence in the domestic market, providing kits for roughly thirty clubs, including Alagoas rivals CSA as well as teams such as Brusque, São Bento, and Santo André.
ASA and Junpe are expected to present the club's new match kit and training collection ahead of the 2027 campaign, in which the Alvinegro will compete in the Campeonato Alagoano and national tournaments.
Virgil van Dijk Fronts High-Tech Nike x Hyperice Air Zoom Hyperslide
Nike and wellness technology brand Hyperice have officially launched their newest collaborative innovation, the Nike Air Zoom Hyperslide. Fronted by Liverpool captain and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, the high-tech slide is engineered to bring professional-grade post-match recovery into an effortless everyday silhouette. The release represents the second major chapter in the Nike x Hyperice partnership following their high-top Hyperboot debut.
The slide integrates Hyperice's heat and massage therapy directly across the bridge of the foot using a removable, magnetic Hyperslide Pod housed inside an adjustable strap. The pod provides three adjustable heat levels reaching up to 47°C (117°F) alongside three targeted vibration settings designed to ease foot tension and boost circulation in 15-minute cycles. Underfoot, Nike supplies a low-profile, full-length Air Zoom unit to ensure high-end impact cushioning, with settings easily adjusted through on-device buttons or the companion Hyperice mobile app.
Designed for travel and post-training downtime, the slides are TSA carry-on friendly and offer up to an hour of battery life via USB-C recharging. The Nike x Hyperice Air Zoom Hyperslide is available in both Black and Orewood Brown colorways for $249 via Nike, Hyperice, and select global stockists.