LONDON, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 21, 2012: Liverpool's Sebastian Coates celebrates scoring his first ever goal for the club, with team-mates Dirk Kuyt and Luis Alberto Suarez Diaz, during the Premiership match against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

From Coates to Benteke to Salah: 10 great Liverpool goals that deserved to be winners

After Mohamed Salah‘s sensational solo goal against Tottenham, which other forgotten Liverpool goals have been worthy of all three points?

Anfield witnessed yet another scintillating Premier League clash on Sunday, as the Reds drew 2-2 with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

With the game deadlocked at 1-1 in stoppage time, Salah ghosted past a host of Spurs challenges before finishing beyond Hugo Lloris, scoring a goal that had Lionel Messi written all over it.

It looked as though the Egyptian had registered a memorable winner, only for Harry Kane’s penalty to level matters in the 95th minute amid much controversy.

To see such a special strike lose some of its value felt desperately cruel after the game, and it got us thinking about similar instances in the past.

Here are 10 more great Liverpool goals that deserved to be winners.

 

Mohamed Salah vs. Everton (2017/18)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 10, 2017: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton, the 229th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The most recent example prior to the Spurs game was once again Salah, who has enjoyed one of the most remarkable debut seasons in English football history.

Liverpool were completely bossing Everton in the 229th Merseyside derby in December, and the 25-year-old’s solo effort gave them a first-half lead.

He created havoc in exactly the same part of the penalty area as he did at the weekend, and his curled finish was exquisite.

What a shame that one of the softest penalties in recent memory ended up robbing Salah of a winner in his first derby.

 

Daniel Sturridge vs. Sevilla (Europa League final, 2016)

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - Wednesday, May 18, 2016: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge scores the first goal against Sevilla during the UEFA Europa League Final at St. Jakob-Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It is criminal that Daniel Sturridge‘s opener in the 2016 Europa League final has almost been consigned to history.

The technique and arrogance that he showed in bending the ball with the outside of his foot was something to behold, and it looked to have set Liverpool on their way to glory.

The Reds then fell to pieces against Sevilla after the break, however, losing 3-1 and ending Jurgen Klopp‘s first season on Merseyside miserably.

Sturridge has never been universally loved, which seems odd—had his Sevilla moment of genius been a winner, his Anfield legacy would be very different.

 

Christian Benteke vs. Man United (2015/16)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2015: Liverpool's Christian Benteke celebrates scoring the first goal against Manchester United during the Premier League match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Christian Benteke was a flop at Liverpool, but his acrobatic effort against Man United was his standout moment for the club.

That and missing in front of the Kop against Leicester City, when Kasper Schmeichel was at the other end of the pitch!

Unfortunately for the Belgian, the Reds were putrid that day at Old Trafford, and his wonderful bicycle kick meant little in an eventual 3-1 loss.

It gave them very brief hope only for Anthony Martial to score on his debut, causing Martin Tyler to explode in the commentary box.

 

Steven Gerrard vs. Man City (2012/13)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 3, 2013: Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard celebrates scoring the second goal against Manchester City during the Premiership match at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Steven Gerrard‘s career wasn’t exactly short of unforgettable goals, but this beauty against reigning champions Man City side would have been special.

The legendary former captain was approaching his 33rd birthday by this point, with questions being asked over his worth to the team, but he thundered home from 30 yards to put Liverpool 2-1 up at the Etihad.

It was one of those moments when the away end explodes, and both the on- and off-pitch celebrations made it feel like a winner.

Sergio Aguero then scored from a freakish angle to earn a 2-2 draw, depriving Gerrard of a great moment.

 

Sebastian Coates vs. QPR (2011/12)

LONDON, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 21, 2012: Liverpool's Sebastian Coates his first goal for the club to give the Reds a 1-0 lead over Queens Park Rangers during the Premiership match at Loftus Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

One of the greatest ever Liverpool goals in a losing cause, Sebastian Coates’ unreal scissor-kick against QPR in 2011/12 has to make the cut.

The Uruguayan was a major disappointment at Anfield, having arrived with such a promising reputation, but when he opened the scoring with this stunner, you wondered if it would be the making of him.

It wasn’t, we must hasten to add, and despite Dirk Kuyt adding another, the Reds blew their two-goal lead to lose 3-2 late on at Loftus Road.

 

Ryan Babel vs. Lyon (2009/10)

LYON, FRANCE - Wednesday, November 4, 2009: Liverpool's Ryan Babel scores the opening goal against Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Champions League Group E match at Stade Gerland. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

This is definitely a forgotten gem of a goal.

Liverpool’s 2009/10 Champions League campaign was a disaster, but Ryan Babel came so close to being the hero for his team.

The Dutchman always had a hell of a shot on him, and when his 83rd-minute scorcher flew in away to Lyon, progression to the last 16 looked on.

Sadly, Lisandro Lopez made it 1-1 in stoppage time, and after losing the last group game at home to Fiorentina the Reds crashed out.

Hitting the ball incredibly hard was one of Babel’s best attributes in an ultimately frustrating Liverpool career.

 

Fabio Aurelio vs. Chelsea (2008/09)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 8, 2008: Liverpool's Javier Mascherano and Fabio Aurelio during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Fabio Aurelio became something of a cult hero at Anfield, and the 4-4 draw with Chelsea in the 2008/09 Champions League quarter-finals saw him score one of his most famous goals.

It is hard to watch that game back because of the depressing way it ended, with Liverpool eventually eliminated, but Aurelio’s opener was out of this world.

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg at Anfield, the Brazilian’s outrageous free-kick from close to the touchline was inch-perfect and it gave Rafa Benitez’s side hope.

They battled very bravely, but to no avail.

 

John Arne Riise vs. Chelsea (League Cup final, 2005)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. TUESDAY, MAY 3rd, 2005: Liverpool's Luis Garcia, John Arne Riise and Djimi Traore celebrate the opening goal against Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Unlike the popular Aurelio, John Arne Riise has a bizarre number of critics, despite forging a highly impressive seven-year career at Liverpool.

Famed for his blistering left foot, the Norwegian scored one of the Reds’ great final goals, but many forget it even exists.

Riise’s perfectly hit volley in the 2005 League Cup final against Chelsea put the Reds in front after just 45 seconds, and for so long it looked set to be the winner.

Gerrard’s unfortunate own goal took the game to extra-time, though, and Chelsea prevailed.

 

John Barnes vs. Everton (1990/91)

John Barnes (Picture by: Peter Robinson / EMPICS Sport)

Liverpool’s 4-4 draw with Everton in 1991 is widely seen as one of the greatest FA Cup games ever, and John Barnes‘ spectacular effort should have clinched victory.

The Reds led on four occasions at Goodison Park, and when Barnes curled home in extra-time a place in the quarters looked done and dusted.

Instead of the winger celebrating one of the greatest ever derby winners, however, Tony Cottee took the game to another replay with seven minutes remaining.

Everton progressed that time around, and Barnes’ goal has never been able to feel as special since.

 

Jimmy Case vs. Man United (FA Cup final, 1977)

We finish with an oldie.

Back in the 1970s, FA Cup final day was everything, with millions tuning in and careers made and ruined in that 90 minutes.

Jimmy Case is still seen as a Liverpool great, but it is a crying shame that his fantastic solo strike against Man United in 1977 didn’t add to his legend further.

It has to do gown as one of the best cup final goals in defeat.

Honourable mentions: Roberto Firmino vs. Swansea City (2016/17); Didi Hamann vs. Fulham (2002/03); Patrik Berger vs. Man United (1999/00); Robbie Fowler vs. West Ham (1997/98)

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