Five memorable Premier League opening-day away games for LFC
With Liverpool set to begin their 2023-24 Premier League campaign by travelling to Chelsea, we take a look back at five memorable opening-day away games in recent Reds history.
Jürgen Klopp's men kick off the next campaign with a clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday August 13.
This will be the 20th time in the Premier League era Liverpool have begun the term on the road, with 12 openers at Anfield since 1992.
There have been some famous victories and important games among the away collection, so here’s a look at five of the most memorable...
1994-95: Crystal Palace 1-6 Liverpool
Newly promoted Crystal Palace were given a harsh introduction to life in the Premier League having won Division One in 1993-94.
Just 12 minutes into their first game back in the top flight, they conceded a penalty after Rob Jones was brought down in the box.
Jan Molby converted the spot-kick, then two minutes later he played in Steve McManaman, who doubled the Reds’ lead. With Robbie Fowler adding a third on the stroke of half-time, the points were in the bag.
A Chris Armstrong effort for Palace early in the second half might have suggested otherwise, but a further goal from McManaman was sandwiched by two from Ian Rush to ensure Liverpool returned north with an emphatic win.
In the 29 years since, the Reds have only had five bigger Premier League victories away from home.
2007-08: Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
Rafael Benitez gave a debut to summer signing Fernando Torres when Liverpool travelled to Villa Park to get their 2007-08 season under way.
Yet the Reds had Martin Laursen to thank for the opener, with the Aston Villa defender unable to clear a Dirk Kuyt cross, leading to an own goal.
It looked like two points might be dropped when Gareth Barry converted a penalty for the home side with just four minutes of normal time remaining.
However, there was still time for captain Steven Gerrard to find the top corner of the goal with a fantastic free-kick.
2016-17: Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool
Liverpool also scored with a direct free-kick in their first match of 2016-17.
Philippe Coutinho netted an equaliser in first-half stoppage time at Arsenal after Theo Walcott had opened the scoring moments on from seeing a penalty saved by Simon Mignolet.
The opening 18 minutes after the interval undoubtedly belonged to the visitors. First, debutant Georginio Wijnaldum found Adam Lallana in the Gunners’ penalty box and he was able to squeeze a shot home from a tight angle.
Seven minutes later, Coutinho bagged his second of the match, with Nathaniel Clyne crossing to provide the assist.
The most memorable goal was still to come, though.
Sadio Mane was also making his first appearance for Liverpool and marked his debut by dribbling from the touchline into the box and unleashing an unstoppable shot. It was such a brilliant goal he jumped onto Klopp’s back to celebrate.
Future Red Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers then struck back for Arsenal but the away side held on to win an opening-weekend classic.
2017-18: Watford 3-3 Liverpool
The Reds were on the road once again to start the following season and it was another dramatic encounter, this time with Watford.
Liverpool twice went behind, then eventually got the lead, only to see it slip away in the third minute of stoppage time. It was a real rollercoaster of a match.
After Stefano Okaka had put the Hornets in front from a corner, Mane equalised having been played in by Emre Can. Watford then led for the second time when Abdoulaye Doucoure pounced following a scramble in the Reds’ penalty box.
The visitors responded after the break, with Roberto Firmino scoring a penalty after debutant Mohamed Salah had been fouled by Heurelho Gomes, the home side’s goalkeeper.
Firmino almost scored his second when he lobbed Gomes, but Salah was on hand to make sure the ball found the back of the net.
Unfortunately, Miguel Britos salvaged a point for Watford with a late goal but an important new era had begun for Liverpool. Their now legendary front three started together for the first time and they all scored. They would repeat that feat another 14 times over the next five years.
2021-22: Norwich 0-3 Liverpool
The first match of Liverpool’s mammoth 63-game quadruple bid in 2021-22 took place at Carrow Road.
Unlike the previous three matches in our recap, this was a far more one-sided affair, with Salah making a direct contribution to all three goals.
The Egyptian began by setting up Diogo Jota and Firmino either side of half-time. He then scored himself, firing home a fine shot after the Norwich defence failed to clear a corner.
Salah’s goal meant he became the first player in Premier League history to score on matchday one for five consecutive seasons.
He then extended the sequence at Fulham last year and will look to make it seven out of seven with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge come August.