FeatureKop 10: Liverpool's best League Cup final goals

As 10-time winners, the Reds are the competition’s most successful club and, this weekend, are seeking to retain the trophy for the first time since claiming it in four consecutive seasons between 1981 and 1984.

Ahead of their latest appearance, we’ve selected Liverpool’s 10 best goals scored in League Cup finals...

Virgil van Dijk v Chelsea, 2024

It was only natural that the final trophy of Jürgen Klopp’s glorious reign was won amid drama and tumult.

Injuries had bitten to the point that, during extra-time of the 2024 final, four inexperienced youngsters from the Academy – Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Bobby Clark – were battling it out with Chelsea’s senior stars.

They were aided by the raucous backing of Liverpool’s supporters, who recognised they had a part to play if a record-extending 10th League Cup was to be secured.

And then, in the 118th minute, the captain stepped forward.

Virgil van Dijk crowned an immense, Player of the Match-winning performance with a fine header from Kostas Tsimikas’ corner and, against all odds, the Reds had done it again.

“It is easily the most special trophy I’ve ever won,” Klopp, beaming with pride, said afterwards.

Philippe Coutinho v Manchester City, 2016

From Klopp’s last final as Liverpool manager to his first.

While this one ultimately ended in heartbreak rather than triumph as Manchester City won on penalties, it did feature a fine late equaliser by Philippe Coutinho that was followed by delirium in the Wembley stands.

With 83 minutes on the clock, the Reds trailed 1-0. Then, Coutinho was in the right place at the right time.

Adam Lallana hit the post from close range and Coutinho was waiting around the penalty spot, from where he calmly stroked home the rebound.

John Arne Riise v Chelsea, 2005

John Arne Riise had a penchant for the spectacular and this ferocious volley in the opening minute of the 2005 final against Chelsea resulted in a world record, too.

Just 44 seconds had elapsed in Cardiff when Riise met Fernando Morientes’ cross to the back post with a breathtaking blend of power and technique.

It was the quickest goal in League Cup final history and, with the roof of the Millennium Stadium closed, Liverpool supporters’ celebrations hit an ear-splitting volume of 130.7 decibels – a world record for noise in a sports stadium.

However, Chelsea would go on to win 3-2 after extra-time in a dramatic tie that kickstarted an era of bitter rivalry between Rafael Benitez’s Reds and Jose Mourinho’s Blues.

Michael Owen v Manchester United, 2003

Two years earlier, the Reds had enjoyed a much happier afternoon in the Welsh capital, as Manchester United were beaten 2-0 in the 2003 final.

A deflected long-range hit from Steven Gerrard put Liverpool ahead in the closing stages of the first half, before United piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.

Gerard Houllier’s side required a Player of the Match-winning performance from Jerzy Dudek to remain in front and, soon after the goalkeeper had made a brilliant save to deny Ruud van Nistelrooy, Michael Owen struck a late trophy-clincher.

With United committing men forward in desperation as time ebbed away, Liverpool countered and Owen was slipped in by Dietmar Hamann just past the centre-circle.

From there, the outcome was a formality, and the striker bore down on Fabian Barthez before burying his finish into the far bottom corner.

Robbie Fowler v Birmingham City, 2001

A magnificent Robbie Fowler opener set Liverpool on their way to the first leg of an historic treble in the 2000-01 season.

The Reds faced second-tier side Birmingham City in the 2001 final in Cardiff and appeared on course to confirm their status as heavy favourites when captain Fowler struck after half an hour.

Fowler, on the end of a towering knockdown by Emile Heskey, launched a perfect, dipping half-volley into the net from all of 25 yards.

Penalties would ultimately be needed to secure the first of three trophies, but Fowler’s goal was one of the best during an unforgettable campaign.

Steve McManaman v Bolton Wanderers (goal two), 1995

A virtuoso display from Steve McManaman inspired Liverpool to a 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the 1995 final at Wembley.

His second strike of the afternoon would ultimately settle the contest as it put Roy Evans’ Reds 2-0 up midway through the second half, shortly before Alan Thompson pulled one back for Bolton.

In typical fashion, McManaman picked up the ball deep inside his own half before receiving a return pass from Jamie Redknapp, played out wide around the halfway line.

From the touchline, the No.17 dribbled inside, beat his marker and placed a fine finish into the bottom corner.

Steve McManaman v Bolton Wanderers (goal one), 1995

His first of the afternoon was arguably even better.

McManaman had earned the Reds the lead as half-time approached via another expression of his luminous talent, as he ghosted into space and collected John Barnes’ pass just past the centre-circle.

He then drove at the heart of Bolton’s back line, jinked outside onto his right foot and dispatched his shot beyond the goalkeeper.

Graeme Souness v Everton, 1984

Three days after Liverpool and Everton had drawn 0-0 in the 1984 League Cup final at Wembley, the neighbours met again in a replay at Manchester City’s Maine Road.

On this occasion, the red half of Merseyside came out on top, thanks to a first-half winner from captain Graeme Souness, who caught out Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall with a perfectly executed snap-shot from distance.

Souness’ goal secured a fourth successive League Cup triumph for Liverpool, who would go on to lift the league title and European Cup in an iconic and historic season under Joe Fagan.

Ronnie Whelan v Manchester United, 1983

Ronnie Whelan loved scoring in League Cup finals.

The midfielder netted twice in the 1982 showpiece – a 3-1, after-extra-time success against Tottenham Hotspur – and then notched a stunning, extra-time winner to defeat Manchester United 12 months later.

Liverpool trailed to Norman Whiteside’s early opener but Alan Kennedy equalised 15 minutes before the end of normal time.

And Whelan duly produced a moment of magic to win it for the Reds, by arcing the ball into the top corner from the corner of the penalty area.

Kenny Dalglish v West Ham United, 1981

Liverpool and West Ham United had drawn 1-1 after extra-time of the 1981 final and therefore met again in a replay at Villa Park.

The Hammers took an early lead but the Reds’ response was emphatic and included an equaliser of sheer class from Kenny Dalglish, who slid to volley home Terry McDermott’s lofted pass from a tight angle.

And three minutes later, Alan Hansen scored the winner to claim the first of Liverpool’s four League Cups in a row.