Divock Origi gave Liverpool fans a glimpse into the future with his performance against the Thai All-Stars. Despite only being a half-time substitute, the young Belgian hit the woodwork twice and forced a close-range save from the opposition goalkeeper before finally finding the net with a few minutes remaining.
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The Reds won the game 4-0 and Origi’s performance was definitely one of the highlights. He’ll now be hoping to recreate that goalscoring moment on his competitive debut for Brendan Rodgers’ side – which could come in less than a month’s time against Stoke City.
In the list below we’ve noted the last ten Liverpool players to score a goal on their first competitive appearance for the club – starting with Layton Maxwell (who?) in a League Cup match in the late 1990s.
The ten players in question have certainly enjoyed varying fortunes since their respective moments of success. Let’s hope that Origi, if he does find the net again at the Britannia Stadium, proves to be one of those that continues to succeed throughout his stay on Merseyside.
Here are the ten…
Layton Maxwell – League Cup win over Hull City, 4-2 (1999)
You could be forgiven for forgetting about this former Welsh Under-21 international, who never made a Premier League appearances for the Reds. After leaving Liverpool in 2001, the midfielder played for ten different clubs – plus another two on loan – before hanging up his boots in 2010. He won promotion with Cardiff City in 2003.
Abel Xavier – Premier League win over Ipswich Town, 6-0 (2002)
The Portuguese international was sadly more memorable for his crazy appearance rather than his footballing talents. The future looked bright after he scored on debut in an impressive victory for Gerard Houllier’s side, but he only lasted a year at Anfield before moving out on loan to Turkey after falling out with the manager.
Mark Gonzalez – Champions League win over Maccabi Haifa, 2-1 (2006)
The Chilean was initially denied a work-permit after agreeing to join Liverpool and he had to wait more than six months before he got to make his debut. Thankfully, his first appearance in a Reds shirt was well worth the wait, as he scored the winning goal. Unfortunately, he couldn’t reproduce such talents on a regular basis.
Craig Bellamy – Champions League win over Maccabi Haifa, 2-1 (2006)
Bellamy had earlier equalised for the Reds in this qualifying game, after the hosts had fallen behind to Maccabi’s shock opener. The Welshman enjoyed far more success on Anfield and returned for a second spell several years later, helping us win the League Cup with a victory over his boyhood club, Cardiff City, in the final on penalties.
Gabriel Paletta – League Cup win over Reading, 4-3 (2006)
The centre-back played eight times for Liverpool in total, with just three of those appearances coming in the Premier League. Despite signing a long-term contract he only lasted a year at Anfield before returning to South America. He joined Parma in 2010 and earned a call-up to the Italy squad four years later. He’s now at AC Milan.
Luis Suarez – Premier League win over Stoke City, 2-0 (2011)
Now we’re talking. Here’s something for Origi to aspire towards. The Uruguayan scored another 81 goals for the Reds following his debut strike against Stoke, including 31 during the 2013-14 Premier League campaign as he fired us to within touching distance of our first Premier League title and earned himself a move to Barcelona.
Andre Wisdom – Europa League win over Young Boys, 5-3 (2012)
A player who could very well still prove to be a success on Merseyside. After initially making his breakthrough with the first-team during the 2012-13 season, he’s spent the last two years out on loan – first at Derby County and then at West Bromwich Albion. He’s now 22 years old and knows that it’s likely to be now or never for him this season.
Daniel Sturridge – FA Cup win over Mansfield Town, 2-1 (2013)
Sturridge burst on to the scene after signing for us in January 2013, six months into Brendan Rodgers’ reign as manager. He quickly transformed our fortunes, scoring 11 goals in 16 games during the second-half of that season, before netting a stunning 24 in all competitions during his first full campaign as a Liverpool player.
Victor Moses – Premier League draw with Swansea City, 2-2 (2013)
It all started so promisingly for Moses after he signed on loan from Chelsea. However, he soon fell out of favour as the quartet of Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling and Coutinho began to establish themselves as Brendan Rodgers’ preferred attacking unit. He only scored one more goal for us, against Bournemouth in an FA Cup win.
Jordan Rossiter – League Cup penalty shoot-out win over Middlesbrough, 2-2 (2014)
A product of Liverpool’s youth team, the teenager was handed his debut against Middlesbrough in the opening game of our League Cup campaign last season and scored the first goal. Another youngster, Jordan Williams, also made his debut in this game and scored during an epic penalty shoot-out.
