FeatureKop 10: Premier League hat-tricks at Anfield

Here, in our latest Kop 10 feature, we take a look back at some of the most memorable home Premier League hat-tricks netted by Reds players…

Roberto Firmino v Arsenal (December 2018)

Liverpool were looking to sign off from an unforgettable 2018 by recording a ninth consecutive Premier League victory when Arsenal visited Anfield in late December.

They were caught cold when Ainsley Maitland-Niles put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute – but the response, spearheaded by the irrepressible Roberto Firmino, could hardly have been more emphatic.

Just five minutes later, the Reds were in front thanks to two goals from their No.9: the first a trademark no-look finish, the second a superb, slaloming, solo effort.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah made it 4-1 by the break, and Firmino was presented with the chance to complete his hat-trick midway through the second half.

Salah unselfishly eschewed the opportunity to net a second penalty of the evening and Firmino duly stepped up to send Bernd Leno the wrong way from the spot.

Mohamed Salah v Watford (March 2018)

A first Liverpool hat-trick had still somehow eluded Salah as his astonishing debut season with the club neared its end.

It was clearly only a matter of time before the Egyptian rectified that anomaly, however, and he did so in some style when Watford visited an icy Anfield in mid-March.

Salah would end the afternoon with four goals – and, just for good measure, an assist for Firmino – to his name as the Hornets were thrashed 5-0.

The No.11’s strikes – two textbook Salah goals that saw defenders turned inside-out, and two predatory finishes – took his running tally for the campaign to a scarcely believable 36.

Luis Suarez v Norwich City (December 2013)

Luis Suarez and Norwich City: a marriage made in heaven for the former, and hell for the latter.

The Uruguayan had already scored two hat-tricks against the Canaries at Carrow Road before this pièce de résistance; a four-goal haul of jaw-dropping quality that inspired a 5-1 rout at Anfield.

First up, an opportunistic, looping half-volley from fully 40 yards that confounded goalkeeper John Ruddy, followed by an instinctive, front-post finish.

Suarez’s hat-trick goal almost defies description – indeed, it was so good even the man himself couldn’t believe it, as proven by his hands-on-head-and-bashful-smile celebration.

After taking the ball down on his chest, the No.7 advanced towards goal, nonchalantly bypassed a defender with a gorgeous flick, and then buried an unstoppable half-volley.

His fourth – a perfect 25-yard free-kick that arced into the top corner – felt almost routine by comparison and Suarez was not done yet, as he went on to tee up Raheem Sterling to score the Reds’ fifth goal of the night.

• Further reductions and new lines added - save up to 70%* in our extended Winter Sale

Steven Gerrard v Everton (March 2012)

There were few things Steven Gerrard hadn’t achieved in a Liverpool shirt as he approached his 32nd birthday, but scoring a Merseyside derby hat-trick was one.

But, in March 2012, the legendary captain ticked that box as Everton were dispatched 3-0 at Anfield. It was Gerrard’s fifth and final treble for the Reds and came on the occasion of his 400th Premier League appearance.

His first goal came shortly before half-time as he guided a precise, left-footed attempt over a stranded Tim Howard, and his second arrived soon after the break when he rifled home after superb work from Suarez.

And, in stoppage time, Gerrard fulfilled yet another dream by converting Suarez’s lay-off at the Kop end.

Dirk Kuyt v Manchester United (March 2011)

In terms of aesthetics, a hat-trick scored from a combined total of fewer then 10 yards does not stand comparison to other trebles featured in this Kop 10.

In terms of significance, though? Well, that’s a different story. Dirk Kuyt’s hat-trick was registered against Manchester United, after all.

The Dutchman remains one of only three Liverpool players to score three times in a match against United in the post-war era – Peter Beardsley and Salah are the others – after this treble in March 2011.

Kuyt first profited from some spellbinding magic from Suarez to prod home the opener while a fraction away from the goalline, with his second of the afternoon, an opportunistic back-post header, a prime example of his knack of being in the right place at the right time.

The No.18 added his third of the day midway through the second half, when he instinctively followed in and converted after Edwin van der Sar had failed to hold Suarez’s free-kick.

Fernando Torres v Middlesbrough (February 2008)

Anfield was already head-over-heels for Fernando Torres but the Spaniard’s first home hat-trick for the club did no harm to a blossoming love affair.

Not for the first or last time, Torres was Liverpool’s saviour as his treble secured a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough.

The No.9 first rounded goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to equalise before, a matter of seconds later, he unleashed a long-range missile that arrowed into the bottom corner.

Torres then benefited from a defensive mix-up to hook home his third of the afternoon in front of the Kop.

Peter Crouch v Arsenal (March 2007)

Left foot + right foot + header = perfection.

That’s the widely acknowledged equation when it comes to hat-tricks and Peter Crouch mastered it against Arsenal in March 2007.

Crouch slid home an early opener at the front post with his right foot, before adding his second with a towering header from an excellent Fabio Aurelio cross.

The striker arguably saved his best until last, though, as he showcased his deft touch and nimble footwork to fashion an opportunity before burying a rising left-footed hit from inside the Kop-end penalty area.

Milan Baros v Crystal Palace (November 2004)

Milan Baros’ first and final hat-trick for the Reds featured a last-minute winner as the Czech nervelessly scored his second penalty of the game to snatch a 3-2 victory against Crystal Palace.

The No.5 won and converted both of his spot-kicks on the day and those goals sandwiched a close-range, poacher’s effort.

Liverpool were twice pegged back by Palace but Baros had the final say in dramatic circumstances as he slotted home from 12 yards at the Kop end.

Robbie Fowler v Southampton (January 1999)

Number eight in Fowler’s list of 10 Liverpool hat-tricks was this treble against Southampton, scored during a 7-1 demolition on this day a quarter of a century ago.

A couple of clinical, close-range finishes were added to by a fine header a couple of minutes into the second half as Fowler notched his second hat-trick versus Saints, the striker having previously done so in October 1993.

All seven of the Reds’ goals that day were netted by products of the club’s Academy, with Fowler joined on the scoresheet by Jamie Carragher, Dominic Matteo, Michael Owen and David Thompson.

Robbie Fowler v Arsenal (August 1994)

Fowler was just 19 years old when he made Premier League history by scoring a hat-trick inside five minutes for Liverpool against Arsenal in August 1994.

To be precise, it took him four minutes and 33 seconds to beat David Seaman on three occasions as the Reds made an early-season statement at a sun-drenched Anfield.

The ultimate finisher, all three of Fowler’s goals came from inside the area. His first was predatory as he converted the loose ball after a free-kick was crossed into the box, before Seaman is beaten by the inch-perfect precision of a low hit that kisses the post prior to crossing the line.

He benefits from a ricochet before dispatching goal three but Fowler had set a record for the fastest Premier League hat-trick that would stand for more than two decades, until a fellow future Liverpool legend, Mane, broke it during his time with Southampton.

• Further reductions and new lines added - save up to 70%* in our extended Winter Sale