Some of our goals stand out as statistical milestones. Others have entered the game’s mythology to become shared treasures, revered by fans never to be forgotten….. Other goals have set records that will never be broken. Despite their respective artistic merits, every one of Liverpool’s goals command a place in the annals of the history of the club. Whether they decided a European or an FA Cup Final, settled Championships or helped the club into the next round of a European Cup, each goal made a big impact on the history of Liverpool Football Club.
Whether it was fantastic team play or individual skill, one touch football, sitters or scorchers or an audacious shot – we’ve picked out 20 of the best to choose from…
Vote for your top 2 goals from the list here
Here’s the contenders as picked by TIA Forum Members….
Gary McAllister v Everton (Premier League 2001)
The moment Gary McAllister will always be remembered for by all Liverpool fans was Monday, April 16th 2001 at Goodison Park. 94 minutes were on the clock, Liverpool had a free kick and from 44 yards out, McAllister struck a superb free kick into the net to send the red half of merseyside into complete delirium. What a way to win the derby, the goal that was the turning point of that season.
Ronnie Whelan v Mancherster United (1983 Milk Cup Final)
Ronnie Whelan had a talent for scoring spectacular and crucial goals. One of these was a magnificent swerving shot that beat Manchester United at Wembley in the 1983 Milk Cup Final.
Ian St. John v Leeds United (1965 FA Cup Final)
At the end of 90 minutes neither side had found the net. Roger Hunt then put Liverpool ahead in extra time, but Leeds responded through Billy Bremner. Then in the 2nd half of extra time, Ian Callaghan crossed a magnificent ball towards the oncoming Ian St. John. It was at an awkard height but Ian St. John threw himself at the ball and sent his diving header straight into the net. The ill luck that had dogged Liverpool for 72 years of Cup football was wiped away with this goal. Ian St John’s goal will always be remembered as the goal that won Liverpool’s first ever FA Cup.
John Arne Riise v Mancherster United (Premiership 2001)
A sensational free kick against Manchester United which won a place in the heart of every Liverpool fan. To this day, the kop pays tribute to his thunderbolt free kick by singing “John Arne Riise, ooh ah, I want to know how you scored that goal”.
Dietmar Hamann v Portsmouth (Premiersip 2003/04)
Michael Owen, foraging effectively down the left, picked out Hamann on the edge of the area, who lashed home a stunning right-foot volley.
David Fairclough v Saint Etienne (2nd Leg) (European QF 1977)
This game is right up their as one of the most exciting and most memorable occasions in Anfield’s long history. Liverpool had lost the first leg against St. Etienne 1-0. In the return leg at Anfield, Keegan scored an early goal only for Bathenay to equalise putting St Etienne ahead on aggregate. Minutes later, Ray Kennedy struck but the Reds were still behind to the French away goal. David Fairclough came on as a sub with 20 minutes to go. Then with less than 8 minutes to go, Fairclough picked up on a through ball 40 yards from goal, kept running and unleashed a fearsome shot beating the advancing French goalkeeper, Curkovic. Liverpool then went on to win the European Cup that year.
Kenny Daglish v Club Brugee (European Cup Final 1978)
The 1978 European Cup Final was played at Wembley. Kenny Daglish scored the only goal in the final, collecting a pass from Graeme Souness on the right side of the penalty area, sprinted towards the 6 yard box, waited for the goalkeeper to advance and cooley chipped the ball into the back of the net helping Liverpool to lift the European Trophy for the second consecutive year.
Steven Gerrard v Olympiakos (2004 Champions League Group Stage)
Well, what can you say about it, only…. Oooooh, ya beauty! With Liverpool heading out of the tournament, Gerrard scored to sent Liverpool through and the rest is history!
Michael Thomas v Sunderland (1992 FA Cup Final)
Michael Thomas opened the scoring when he found plenty of space just inside the box, and after receiving a clever pass from Steve McManaman, Thomas turned quickly and lifted a looping effort into the top corner of the net past Tony Norman.
John Barnes v Everton (Premier Legue 20-02-1991 LFC 4-4 Everton)
Coming in off the left wing, Barnes curled an amazing shot into the top right corner of the goal to make it 4-3 in an enthrawling match.
Robbie Fowler (European Cup Winners Cup QF 1999)
Liverpool drew 1-1 in Norway against Bran Bergen in the Quarter Final of the European Cup Winners Cup. Liverpool’s goal came in the 9th minute, Robbie Fowler struck with one of his greatest goals ever, flicking the ball over the stranded Norwegian defender before running on to it to volley it past the helpless keeper.
Steve McManaman v Celtic (UEFA Cup 1st Round 1997-98)
With Liverpool a goal behind at 2-1 in the 89th minute, Steve McManaman waltzed 70 yards from deep inside his own half through several tackles to score a stunning equaliser.
Jan Molby v Manchester United (22.11.1985 League Cup 4th Round)
There were no TV camera’s there that night because the cameramen were on strike. McGrath gave the Mans the lead after 10 minutes and then Molby scored 2 goals in a minute to give us the lead. One of these was a penalty but his other goal was from 25 yards. Molby challenged their striker on the left side of the box and instead of looking for and playing the usual masterful pass forward, he decided to carry the ball forward and just striding forward, he shrugged a couple United players off, then went into more and more space with people backing off him until he got about 30 yards from goal, when he let rip with probably the hardest shot Anfield has ever seen.
Tommy Smith v Borrusia Moenchengladbach (European Cup Final 1977)
Liverpool won 3-1 on the night, but with the score level at 1-1, Liverpoool won a corner. Heighway sent over a high cross and Tommy Smith was there to head the ball into the Borrusia net.
Luis Garcia v Juventus (Champions League QF 2005)
Within 25 minutes, Liverpool doubled their lead over Juventus after Hyypia’s volley had put them infront. Anfield had been building in anticipation and Garcia’s goal sent it into hysteria. Igor Biscan played the ball down the right, Le Tallec flicked it on and Luis Garcia surged onto the ball 25 yards out and hit a sensational dipping volley over the despairing arms of Buffon.
Terry McDermott (Division 1 1978/79)
Terry McDermott had a habit of winning goal of the season and like Ray Kennedy was superb at scoring goals when running late from midfield. In the 1978-79 season, Liverpool were trashing Tottenham 6-0 when McDermott popped up with a late memorable header which many still consider as one of the best goals ever seen at Anfield. Don’t for get the cross field ball from David Johnston and Steve Heighway’s cross.
Steven Gerrard v West Ham (FA Cup Final 2006)
12 months on from his inspirational performance in Istanbul, West Ham looked on course to win the 2006 FA Cup Final with minutes remaining. But once again, Gerrard popped up to unleash an unstoppable thunderbolt past Shaka Hislop into the net. Gerrard was Liverpool’s saviour once again as Andy Gray so aptly put it, “Take a bow son”. Liverpool went on to win on penalties to clinch the 2006 FA Cup Trophy. Watch Gerrard’s unstoppable thunderbolt here
Alan Kennedy v Real Madrid (European Cup Final 1981)
Alan Kennedy’s single goal was enough to beat Real Madrid in the 1981 European Cup Final. Ray Kennedy’s throw in was chested down by Alan Kennedy and he made one of his adventurous runs into the penalty area, outsprinting Cortes and from the narrowest of angles his a cracking shot into the back of the Real net.
Michael Owen 2nd goal v Arsenal (2001 FA Cup Final)
Michael Owen produces a virtuoso late show to shatter Arsenal and give them the FA Cup at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium. With the prospect of extra time looming, Owen ran onto Berger’s brilliant inch perfect 50 yard pass, 2 minutes from time. Despite being forced wide his pace burned off Tony Adams and Lee Dixon. Owen then threaded an amazing low drive beyond David Seaman to clinch the 2001 FA Cup.
Terry McDermott v Everton (F.A. Cup Semi Final 1976/77)
BBC’s goal of the season in 1977, Terry Mcdermott scored Liverpool’s first goal with a quality chipped goal against Everton ‘“ 1977.
Vote for your top 2 goals from the list here
Here’s 5 great goals worth mentioning which “slightly” did not make the top 20 list….
John Aldridge v Nottingham Forest (FA Cup Semi Final 1988)
It was the combination of Beardsley, Barnes and Alridge which sent Liverpool one step closer to the double that year. A great ball from Beardsley found Barnes working his way down the left flank and without hesitation, Barnes chipped over a delicate cross for John Aldridge to meet on the volley.
John Barnes v QPR (Division 1 1987/88)
17/10/1987 – A fantastic individual goal by John Barnes as Liverpool went on to win 4-0 on the day.
Steven Gerrard v AC Milan (Champions League Final 2005)
Eight minutes into the second half Gerrard connects with a Riise cross to give Liverpool a glimmer of hope in one of the greatest finals in the history of the Champions League….!!
John Aldridge v Arsenal (Division 1 1987/88)
The ball was cleared by the Arsenal defence and was just about to go out for a throw infront of the main stand, McMahon ran half the width of the pitch and back heels the ball just about keeping it in, squares it to Beardsley who shimmies past 2 defenders taking it to the byline, then crosses for Aldridge at the back post to slot it into the Kop end. Liverpool then went on to record a 2-0 win.
Sammy Lee v Manchester United (April 1982)
Sammy usually chipped in now and again with the odd spectacular goal. One of his best goals was aginst Manchester City when a long range free kick thunderbolt found its way past Man City keeper Joe Corrigan into the back of the net at Maine Road in the 1981/82 season.
