We wrote this piece for LFC Xtra earlier this week, detailing five memorable opening day moments for Liverpool in the Premier League. For those of you that missed it, here it is again in full…
It’s the moment that we’ve all been waiting for – the start of a new Premier League campaign. This coming Sunday, three months of waiting comes to an end.
We will finally be afforded the opportunity to right the wrongs of our last top flight outing, when we take on Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in a repeat of the final match of last season.
There’s certainly a heavy amount of irony surrounding the fixture – and I think it’s safe to say that whoever was putting the fixture list together clearly has a sense of humour.
However, while we’d have undoubtedly preferred an easier fixture to start our season, this is a key opportunity to put things right and make a big statement of intent about the year ahead.
We have plenty to look forward to, including the prospect of seeing a number of our summer signings make their competitive debuts, with the likes of James Milner and Christian Benteke surely certainties to start.
So as the anticipation continues to build, please enjoy a look at back at some of our most memorable opening day triumphs from the Premier League era, including one such occasion against the very same opponent…
SEE MORE:
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Liverpool’s teenage duo set for starting roles against Stoke City
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5) Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United (2001-02)
Michael Owen, playing at the height of his powers, scored two brilliant goals to give Liverpool victory in this one. The England man had give the home side the lead after capitalising on Gary McAllister’s flick-on, before Paulo Di Canio drew the visitors level from the penalty spot. West Ham fought impressively as they attempted to hold out for a point, but Owen had other ideas, as he netted a brilliant individual effort to seal victory. Didi Hamann played the crucial pass and Owen sped past Christian Dailly before firing confidently past goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
4) Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Liverpool (1999-2000)
A new-look Liverpool team which included five new signings – Sander Westerveld, Sami Hyypia, Titi Camara, Dietmar Hamann and Vladimir Smicer – eased to victory at Hillsborough thanks to late goals from Robbie Fowler and Camara. The former curled home the opener with fifteen minutes remaining, before the popular Guinea international doubled the visitors advantage just nine minutes later. There was still time for Benito Carbone to net a late consolation for the home side, but his goal couldn’t deny Liverpool a crucial three points.
3) Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City (2013-14)
The Reds started the season as they meant to go on. Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal shortly before half-time, in what would prove to be the first of three consecutive 1-0 wins. However, it was goalkeeper Simon Mignolet – making his competitive debut following his move from Sunderland – who was the hero. The Belgian got across well to deny Jonathan Walters, after Stoke were awarded a stoppage time penalty, and was back on his feet in time to block the follow-up from Kenwyne Jones. It would prove to be our first opening day win at Anfield since 2001.
2) Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool (2007-08)
Liverpool snatched a dramatic late winner, just two minutes after Gareth Barry’s penalty looked to have earned the home side a point. The visitors had led for much of the game through a Martin Laursen own goal, before Barry levelled five minutes from time. However, there was still time for Steven Gerrard to step up and smash a dipping free-kick brilliantly into the net. Fernando Torres also made his Liverpool debut in this game and played a key part in our opening goal, forcing a fine save from Stuart Taylor, who could only push the ball back into his defender.
1) Crystal Palace 1-6 Liverpool (1994-95)
Liverpool ran riot at Selhurst Park as Palace crumbled under the weight of a brilliant attacking performance from their visitors. Steve McManaman and Ian Rush both scored twice, while Jan Molby and Robbie Fowler also found the net. Chris Armstrong scored the only goal for the home side. The likes of John Barnes and Jamie Redknapp also featured in what was a star-studded Liverpool line-up. A transitional period for the Reds into the post-Rush era was arguably completed in the following game, when Fowler scored a hat-trick to beat Arsenal 3-0.
