FeatureKop 10: Memorable derby goals at Anfield under Jürgen Klopp
Since taking charge eight years ago this month, the manager has enjoyed some memorable home contests and victories against the club’s local rivals.
There have been plenty of unforgettable goals amid those fixtures, too – and we have picked out 10 of our favourites in the chronological list below…
Sadio Mane – April 2017
Four months after breaking Blues hearts with a stoppage-time winner at Goodison Park, Sadio Mane got the goalscoring going much earlier in the return meeting.
And where his strike on the other side of Stanley Park was about instinctive reactions, his Anfield effort showcased the Senegalese’s speed and skill.
Moving off the right channel and attacking the left edge of the Everton penalty area via a one-two in minute eight, Mane found the opposite corner of the net with a precise low shot.
Philippe Coutinho – April 2017
It was from a similar area of the pitch and in a not dissimilar style that Philippe Coutinho produced Liverpool’s second goal in this Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
The Brazilian had plenty of work to do when he took control of the ball around 30 yards from goal with seven opponents between it and him.
But he weaved directly past two of them on his route into the box, before a trademark step inside and emphatic curler into the far corner.
Mohamed Salah – December 2017
Mohamed Salah’s first derby goal for Liverpool was so good it would go on to be crowned the FIFA Puskas Award winner.
In the snow at Anfield, the forward showed strength and subtle footwork to wriggle past two opponents and open up a shooting chance in the box.
And Salah supplied the finish his build-up work deserved, arcing an unstoppable strike over the reach of Jordan Pickford and into the top left corner.
Virgil van Dijk – January 2018
As dream debuts go, it’s difficult to top a late winner in the Merseyside derby in front of the Kop.
Such was the scenario that unfolded for Virgil van Dijk just four days after the Netherlands international had completed his transfer to the Reds from Southampton.
Moving towards the near-post area to meet an inswinging corner from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with 84 on the clock and the score 1-1, the new No.4 nodded in a firm header to seal a memorable FA Cup victory.
Divock Origi – December 2018
There have been many prettier goals in the derby over the years than this one – but few quite as dramatic or unexpected.
As the game ticked into its sixth minute of added time, goalless stalemate looked to be remaining the status quo as Van Dijk’s ambitious volley from outside the box looped high into the air, seemingly harmlessly.
But Divock Origi was alive to the smallest possibilities and when the ball somehow came down onto the crossbar and stayed in play, the Belgian reacted fastest to flick in a header and win the match in the most unusual of circumstances.
Divock Origi – December 2019
Twelve months later, Origi’s pleasant knack for Merseyside derby strikes was in operation again.
Indeed, on this winter’s night he helped himself to two in a Premier League clash, with the second of his double a sumptuous piece of control and finishing technique.
Bringing down a long pass from Dejan Lovren that was dropping over his shoulder in the area, Origi’s deft first touch was followed by a strike that he lofted over the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net.
Sadio Mane – December 2019
The Reds racked up five goals on this evening as their thrilling march to that season’s league title continued at incredible pace.
The fourth was a trademark counter-attack, Klopp’s men transforming an Everton corner into a chance of their own within a matter of seconds.
Trent Alexander-Arnold led the charge, carrying the ball up the pitch before laying it off to his right for Mane, who swept in a precise left-footer from 20 yards out.
Curtis Jones – January 2020
When a young Curtis Jones was dreaming of scoring for Liverpool, the vision surely bore serious resemblance to this very special moment for the Scouser.
A much-changed XI took to the field for this FA Cup third-round encounter and rose to the occasion with a determined display that was capped by a magnificent Jones winner.
Collecting possession near the left corner of the box at the Anfield Road end, he opened up his body and sent a pinpoint curler crashing in off the right frame of the goal.
Andy Robertson – April 2022
In the midst of a title race and tilt at a quadruple, the Reds were finding their neighbours a stubborn nut to crack on this Sunday afternoon.
With an hour played and the score still goalless a moment of magic was going to be required for the home side to keep their pursuit on course.
It came from Andy Robertson, the left-back sneaking into space at the back post to head home Salah’s clever dink across the area and kickstart an eventual 2-0 result.
Mohamed Salah – February 2023
A blistering counter-attack from Liverpool opened the scoring when the rivals met at Anfield in the league last season.
Within seconds of a James Tarkowski header from an Everton corner hitting the post the Reds broke away, Darwin Nunez powering all the way down the left flank with the ball in his control and multiple teammates waiting for a pass.
The Uruguayan duly picked out Salah with a lifted cross infield – and the No.11 prodded a first-time finish past Pickford to lay the foundation for another 2-0 win.
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