FeatureKop 10: Euros goals by Liverpool players

Ahead of this year’s tournament, we’ve taken a look back at some of the best goals scored by Liverpool players in previous editions of the European Championship…

Jordan Henderson (Ukraine 0-4 England) – Euro 2020

It had been a long time coming.

This Euro 2020 quarter-final between England and Ukraine represented Jordan Henderson’s 62nd international appearance, and the former Liverpool captain went into the tie still waiting for his first goal for his country.

The Three Lions were firmly in control and led 3-0 at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico when Henderson was introduced from the bench shortly before the hour mark.

And minutes later, the midfielder’s moment finally arrived as he darted to the near post to meet Mason Mount’s corner and planted a fine header into the bottom corner.

“I’m delighted - it’s been a while, to be fair, so it’s about time!” a beaming Henderson said afterwards.

Daniel Sturridge (England 2-1 Wales) – Euro 2016

With England trailing Wales 1-0 at half-time of this Euro 2016 Group B encounter, Daniel Sturridge was introduced from the bench.

The striker first played his part in the Three Lions’ equaliser, as he provided the cross from which Jamie Vardy would cancel out Gareth Bale’s opener. That goal came early in the second half and England then piled on the pressure in search of the winner.

And, as the clock ticked into stoppage time, it was Sturridge who produced as he provided the creative spark by beginning a sequence of play that concluded with him squeezing home an instinctive, improvised close-range finish.

“We knew if we didn’t win that game we were probably out. I came on at half-time and I was doing some wild, wild shots,” Sturridge recently told the Sunday Times.

“But then, when I think about that goal, I don’t even remember the moments where it all happened. I just remember the very start and then me celebrating. The bit in between I couldn’t tell you about.

“I had to watch it on video to see how it happened, how I got in on goal. I had no idea my shot was like that, it was almost a toe-poke type vibe. Everything was a blur.

“When you’re in that flow, that’s the place you want to be.”

Andy Carroll (Sweden 2-3 England) – Euro 2012

The term ‘towering header’ could have been coined for Andy Carroll’s effort for England against Sweden at Euro 2012.

Steven Gerrard was the provider, Carroll’s captain for club and country delivering a trademark, pinpoint cross from deep that the striker met with a header of astonishing power and precision from around the penalty spot.

It was a goal that put England 1-0 up in a Group D match they would eventually win 3-2.

Fernando Torres (Germany 0-1 Spain) – Euro 2008

Fresh from an outstanding debut season with Liverpool, Fernando Torres etched his name into the history of Spanish football by scoring the winner in the final of Euro 2008.

La Roja went into the tournament in Austria and Switzerland having not won a major trophy for 44 years but Torres’ goal, which earned his country a 1-0 victory over Germany in Vienna, kickstarted a spell of international domination.

The strike was typically Torres, too, as a burst of acceleration enabled him to reach Xavi Hernandez’s pass before he clipped a beautiful first-time finish over the onrushing Jens Lehmann.

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Fernando Torres (Sweden 1-2 Spain) – Euro 2008

Spain ensured they would top Group D with a match to spare when they beat Sweden 2-1 in their second game of Euro 2008.

David Villa’s stoppage-time goal won it for La Roja, but it was Torres who had set them on their way by opening the scoring after 15 minutes.

The No.9 showcased his predatory instincts and gymnastic ability by getting across his marker to meet David Silva’s cross and volley home with his studs at the near post.

Milan Baros (Czechia 3-0 Denmark) – Euro 2004

A goal in each of their Group D fixtures from Milan Baros had helped Czechia to top a section that also included Germany and the Netherlands at Euro 2004.

Denmark awaited in the quarter-finals and Baros’ rich vein of goalscoring form continued as he netted twice in a convincing 3-0 win. Just two minutes separated his strikes and his first in particular – which put his team two up just after the hour – spoke of a striker brimming with confidence.

Baros’ movement took him in behind the Danish defence and, running onto Karel Poborsky’s pass, he delicately dinked the ball over Thomas Sorensen.

Baros’ second of the evening quickly followed and took him to five goals for the tournament. Czechia were eliminated by shock champions Greece in the semi-finals, but Baros was at least able to console himself with the Golden Boot.

Vladimir Smicer (Netherlands 2-3 Czechia) – Euro 2004

Arguably the game of Euro 2004 was Czechia’s dramatic group-stage victory over the Netherlands – a win that was ultimately earned by two Liverpool players.

The Dutch raced into an early two-goal lead, but Jan Koller quickly halved the deficit and the score remained at 2-1 at half-time.

Czechia equalised with a little less than 20 minutes remaining thanks to a customary Baros strike and it was then time for another Red to take centre stage as Vladimir Smicer slid home an 88th-minute winner to cap an incredible comeback.

Steven Gerrard (England 3-0 Switzerland) – Euro 2004

Having lost their Euro 2004 Group B opener to a stoppage-time double from France’s Zinedine Zidane, England met Switzerland in their second match of the tournament in need of a win.

And, after Wayne Rooney had scored a brace, Gerrard capped a comprehensive 3-0 victory with a back-post finish that ensured Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side got themselves on course for the quarter-finals.

Ronnie Whelan (Republic of Ireland 1-1 USSR) – Euro 1988

“As the ball was floating into the edge of the box, it was just one of those split decisions you tell yourself, ‘Go on!’”

Ronnie Whelan tried his luck and ended up scoring a goal of incredible ingenuity.

The midfielder was stationed just inside the penalty area awaiting a long throw into the box during the first half of the Republic of Ireland’s second game at Euro 1988, against USSR.

As the ball arrived in his vicinity he decided to attempt a hooked, left-footed volley that duly arced its way beautifully into the top corner.

“You might break your back or miss it completely but it came off the bottom of my shin high up on my foot and then just sort of looped over probably the best goalkeeper in the world at the time in Rinat Dasayev,” Whelan told Liverpoolfc.com.

“To do that on a stage like the Euros was brilliant for me and the country and I will never forget it.”

Ray Houghton (England 0-1 Republic of Ireland) – Euro 1988

One of Irish football’s finest hours was the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 win over England at Euro 1988 – and it was a victory influenced significantly by Liverpool players.

Ray Houghton was the scorer and he was teed up by John Aldridge, whose knockdown found his fellow Red in the penalty area.

Houghton then managed to direct a clever, looping header over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to secure a famous result for Ireland in the country’s first-ever match at a major international tournament.