'Inspired by our special city': Liverpool unveil new third kit as Virgil van Dijk and Co pose in 'Phantom Black' strip

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Liverpool have revealed their striking new 'Phantom Black' third strip for the upcoming campaign.

The Reds unveiled their new kit on Saturday morning with around three weeks until the competitive season gets underway.

Liverpool have not had a black kit since the 2016-17 campaign and New Balance have struck gold again with the design it seems.

Liverpool have revealed their striking new 'Phantom Black' third strip for the upcoming season

L to R: Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino smile for the cameras in their new strip

Fabinho was pictured in the new kit stood in The Kop - although the kit won't be used at Anfield

The black shirt has an eye-catching mesh pattern emblazoned across the front while the Liverpool crest and New Balance logo stand out in a neon blue stitching. 

Said to be 'inspired by our special city', the strip has Bob Paisley's signature stitched into the inside of the neck just as it also is for this season's home and away kits.

To mark the devastating events of Hillsborough, the 96 emblem once again stands alongside the eternal flames on the neck of the shirt.

The shirt also features a bespoke graphic across the front of the jersey that is said to represent the iconic shape of Liverpool’s street signs. 

Players will wear the shirt with black shorts and black and white socks while the goalkeeper's kit is all green.

It is currently unclear when they will wear it for the first time but upcoming friendlies against Sevilla and Sporting Lisbon are options.

Liverpool's pre-season preparations were dealt a blow on Friday night after being beaten 3-2 by Borussia Dortmund in their first match of the pre-season tour of the United States.

The black shirt has an eye-catching mesh pattern emblazoned across the front

Players will wear black shorts and black and white socks while the goalkeeper's kit is all green

It is unclear when they will wear it for the first time but they still have a number of friendlies

In stifling conditions at the Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, the European champions faced the Bundesliga runners-up in what Jurgen Klopp had called 'the first proper test' of his side's pre-season.

Liverpool were hurt by a sloppy defence and Dortmund wasted no time in finding the net courtesy of a close-range strike from Paco Alcacer after just three minutes.

Harry Wilson found the net in the 35th minute to draw level but Dortmund scored two quick goals after the break.

Thomas Delaney made it 2-1 eight minutes into the second half with an easy tap-in and Jacob Bruun Larsen extended the lead after finding the bottom corner in the 58th minute.

Rhian Brewster converted a penalty in the 75th minute after Ben Woodburn was brought down in the box.

However, the Reds could not find the equaliser in the closing stages in front of the 40,361-strong crowd. 

Liverpool will continue their pre-season tour at Boston's Fenway Park against Sevilla on Sunday.