Hugo Ekitike loved a Premier League debut to recollect for Liverpool, however what have been the most effective Reds bows over the previous 30-odd years?
Liverpool had 4 debutants towards Bournemouth final Friday, with Ekitike joined by Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez within the beginning lineup.
The previous scored and assisted within the Reds’ 4-2 win over the Cherries, making a flying begin to life at Anfield.
After Ekitike’s star flip, it’s got us enthusiastic about the most effective Liverpool debuts within the Premier League period, from any competitors.
Listed below are 10 that stand out.
Virgil van Dijk – Everton (2018)
All of us dream of scoring in entrance of the Kop towards Everton on our Liverpool debut.
Virgil van Dijk made that dream a actuality on his first Reds look in January 2018, because the Merseyside rivals met within the FA Cup third spherical.
After a sometimes assured debut on the coronary heart of the defence, the Dutchman rose highest to go house the winner with six minutes remaining.
It sealed a 2-1 victory for Liverpool, and Van Dijk has by no means appeared again since, changing into top-of-the-line gamers within the membership’s historical past.
Mohamed Salah – Watford (2017)
Mohamed Salah now has 246 targets for Liverpool – predictably, he obtained his first on his debut at Watford again in 2017.
The Egyptian King instantly confirmed his predatory instincts by sprinting in and getting on the tip of a Roberto Firmino chip.
What Salah has achieved within the eight years since is exceptional, with the 33-year-old now third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts.
How shut will he get to Ian Rush‘s file tally of 346?
Sadio Mane – Arsenal (2016)
Has there been a greater debut celebration than Sadio Mane‘s away to Arsenal in August 2016?
The Senegalese felt like a game-changing signing when he joined from Southampton, and his stunner on the Emirates was a standout second on the opening weekend of the 2016/17 season.
Mane dribbled his method into the realm and fired an arrowed shot into the highest nook, earlier than leaping onto Jurgen Klopp‘s shoulders in celebration.
Whereas the likes of Salah, Van Dijk and Alisson arrived quickly after, Mane felt like the primary really elite signing of the Klopp period at Liverpool.
Simon Mignolet – Stoke (2013)
Simon Mignolet could not have develop into the Liverpool legend that others on this checklist did, however his debut was each bit as influential.
Within the opening sport of 2013/14 at house to Stoke, it appeared just like the Reds had thrown away two factors after conceding a late penalty.
Mignolet had different concepts, nonetheless, denying boyhood Everton fan Jon Walters and likewise saving the rebound, being surrounded by his teammates afterwards.
It preserved Liverpool’s 1-0 lead, with Brendan Rodgers’ Reds finally going agonisingly near successful the title that season.
Daniel Sturridge – Mansfield (2013)
Granted, Liverpool’s matches towards Mansfield all through historical past haven’t been too memorable, however their 2013 FA Cup assembly was for one key cause.
The sport noticed Daniel Sturridge seem for the Reds for the primary time, and he made an excellent early impression, scoring after solely seven minutes.
Sturridge added a lot high quality to Liverpool’s assault halfway via the 2012/13 season, netting in 5 of his first seven outings.
Had it not been for damage woes, he might have been a Reds nice.
Luis Suarez – Stoke (2011)
There have been few extra proficient gamers in Liverpool’s historical past than Luis Suarez, who made an immediate impression at house to Stoke in February 2011.
The Uruguayan was introduced in as Fernando Torres’ direct alternative, however he instantly made Reds supporters overlook about their former hero.
Suarez rolled a shot into the Kop internet on his debut at house to Stoke, sealing a 2-0 win, earlier than celebrating in delighted style.
What he produced over the following three-and-a-half years was sheer genius.
Fernando Torres – Chelsea (2007)
Ekitike’s Liverpool bow has drawn comparisons with Torres’, not least due to a debut strike in entrance of the Anfield Highway Stand.
The Spaniard made a dream begin to life at Anfield when he roasted Tal Ben Haim and located the web towards Chelsea in an enormous opening sport in 2007/08.
Torres confirmed his energy, tempo over a brief distance and nerveless ending potential, immediately changing into the brand new poster boy at Liverpool.
A surprising penalty determination allowed Chelsea to attract 1-1, however ‘El Nino’ excelled for the Reds earlier than he controversially joined the Blues in January 2011.
Michael Owen – Wimbledon – 1997
There haven’t been many higher youngsters in Liverpool’s historical past than Michael Owen.
Large issues had been anticipated of him for years main as much as his first-team debut, which got here away to Wimbledon on the again finish of 1996/97.
With Liverpool trailing 2-0, some inspiration was wanted, and a 17-year-old Owen raced via and slotted house simply 16 minutes after being launched.
A star was born, although the Reds nonetheless misplaced 2-1.
Stan Collymore – Sheffield Wednesday (1995)
Stan Collymore in the end didn’t attain the heights many anticipated of him at Liverpool, however what a begin he made!
An £8.5 million summer season signing from Nottingham Forest – an enormous charge on the time – the striker scored the one purpose at house to Sheffield Wednesday in August 1995.
Twisting and turning 30 yards from purpose, Collymore then curled a powerful effort into the nook, earlier than wheeling away in delight.
At that time, it felt like Liverpool had signed their subsequent nice striker, however sadly, it didn’t pan out that method.
Robbie Fowler – Fulham (1993)
At 18, Robbie Fowler was a prodigious expertise with the world at his ft, and he showcased his high quality on his debut.
The legendary striker completed clinically in a 3-1 win away to Fulham within the League Cup in September 1993, scoring the primary of 183 targets for the Reds.
Extremely, Fowler then bagged all 5 targets in a 5-0 win within the return leg, in simply his fourth look for Liverpool.
Has there ever been a extra pure finisher for the Reds?
