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Liverpool’s 15 debut goalscorers since 2000 – Mane piggyback to Sturridge dance

Liverpool’s new signings will be hoping to score on their debut for the Reds, joining 15 other players who have done the same in the 21st century.

We are edging closer to Sunday’s trip to Newcastle, as Andoni Iraola looks to get off to a winning start as head coach.

There could be competitive debuts for Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Victor Munoz, and finding the net would be a perfect start to their Liverpool careers.

Here, we take a look at the 15 players who have scored on their Reds bows since 2000.

(Note: This list does not include goals in the Community Shield – which we consider a friendly!)

Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth (2025)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after Cody Gakpo (#18) scored their side's second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The most recent name added to the list is Hugo Ekitike, who introduced himself immediately with the first goal of the new Premier League season.

His strike showed his composure and finishing ability, and kick-started an impressive debut season that was cruelly ended by an Achilles injury that will likely see him ruled out until the start of 2027.

Lewis Koumas – Liverpool 3-0 Southampton (2024)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 28, 2024: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas celebrates after scoring the first goal on his debut during the FA Cup 5th Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Lewis Koumas has been one of the success stories of Liverpool’s pre-season this summer, and his Reds career got off to a flier in 2024.

The Welshman scored on his maiden appearance for the club against Southampton in the FA Cup, producing a clinical finish from the edge of the box that saw him celebrate with unbridled joy.

Darwin Nunez – Fulham 2-2 Liverpool (2022)

LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 6, 2022: Liverpool's Darwin Núñez celebrates after scoring his side's first goal to level the score 1-1 during the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A clever flick in front of the goalkeeper opened Darwin Nunez‘s account, with none other than Salah providing the assist at Craven Cottage.

His celebration showed the passion he had, but unfortunately, finishes like this one were not consistent enough.

Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool 2-1 Everton (2018)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, January 5, 2018: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring the second goal during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 230th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

This could well be the most popular Liverpool debut strike of the 21st century.

Virgil van Dijk arrived at Anfield with a huge £75 million price tag on his shoulders, and casually headed home a late Kop winner against Everton in his first game.

At that point, you knew Liverpool had signed a colossus.

Mo Salah – Watford 3-3 Liverpool (2017)

WATFORD, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 12, 2017: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the third goal with team-mate Roberto Firmino during the FA Premier League match between Watford and Liverpool at Vicarage Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A year prior, it was Mo Salah who wasted little time starting as he meant to go on.

The Reds legend got on the end of a Roberto Firmino chip to pounce in front of the away fans, on a day when Klopp’s men drew 3-3 at Watford.

It was the first of 257 Liverpool goals for Salah, putting him third in the club’s all-time rankings.

Sadio Mane – Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool (2016)

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 14, 2016: Liverpool's Sadio Mane runs to manager Jürgen Klopp to celebrate scoring the fourth goal against Arsenal during the FA Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Sadio Mane leaping onto Jurgen Klopp‘s back at Arsenal a decade ago remains one of the great Liverpool celebrations.

The Senegalese scored a stunning solo effort at the Emirates to announce himself as the Reds’ new big-name signing, as they won the thriller 4-3.

The celebration with Klopp and his teammates was nearly as good as the goal!

Jordan Rossiter – Liverpool 2-2 Middlesbrough (2014)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 23, 2014: Liverpool's Jordan Rossiter celebrates scoring the first goal against Middlesbrough on his debut during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Few Liverpool debut goalscorers have looked more delighted than Jordan Rossiter did almost 12 years ago.

Then only 17 years of age, the midfielder squeezed the ball home from all of 30 yards, opening the scoring at home to Middlesbrough in the League Cup.

The game eventually finished 2-2 and went to penalties, with the Reds prevailing after an epic shootout that ended 14-13.

Victor Moses – Swansea 2-2 Liverpool (2013)

SWANSEA, WALES - Monday, September 16, 2013: Liverpool's Victor Moses scores the second goal against Swansea City, on his debut, during the Premiership match at the Liberty Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Victor Moses ended up disappointing for Liverpool – who else remembers THAT miss against Crystal Palace in 2014? – but he initially made a great start.

He fired home from distance away to Swansea in the league after a poor pass from ex-Red Jonjo Shelvey, putting the Reds 2-1 up, but they couldn’t hold on.

Daniel Sturridge – Mansfield 1-2 Liverpool (2013)

MANSFIELD, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 6, 2013: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring the first goal against Mansfield Town by dancing with team-mate Jonjo Shelvey during the FA Cup 3rd Round match at Field Mill. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Daniel Sturridge looked the part from minute one in a Liverpool shirt, and he proved to be a bargain £12 million signing from Chelsea.

An awkward FA Cup trip to Mansfield Town in 2013 was made easier when the striker netted just seven minutes into his Reds debut.

He had a relentless run from that point on, and only injuries prevented him from becoming a true Liverpool great.

Andre Wisdom – Young Boys 3-5 Liverpool (2012)

BERNE, SWITZERLAND - Thursday, September 20, 2012: Liverpool's Andre Wisdom celebrates scoring the second goal against BSC Young Boys during the UEFA Europa League Group A match at the Wankdorf Stadion. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Fair play if you can remember all of the goalscorers from Young Boys 3-5 Liverpool from back in 2012!

But one of them was a 19-year-old Andre Wisdom, who headed the Reds into a 2-1 lead in their Europa League meeting in Switzerland.

It was a special debut for the defender, as it marked his only goal at Liverpool.

Luis Suarez – Liverpool 2-0 Stoke (2011)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 2, 2011: Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Stoke City, minutes after coming on as a substitute to make his debut, during the Premiership match at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Five years since the previous debut strike, Luis Suarez announced himself to the Anfield crowd in style.

The legendary striker rolled the ball agonisingly into the empty Kop net to clinch a 2-0 victory at home to Stoke in the Premier League.

A new Anfield icon was born, with this the first of 82 goals in 133 appearances.

Gabriel Paletta – Liverpool 4-3 Reading (2006)

Liverpool, England - Tuesday, January 9, 2007: Liverpool's Gabriel Paletta and Arsenal's Julio Baptista during the League Cup Quarter-Final match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

We will forgive you for forgetting all about Gabriel Paletta, but he bagged a debut goal for Liverpool.

It came in a League Cup third-round clash at Anfield in 2006, with the Italian putting the Reds 3-0 up before they made life hard for themselves. It was his first and last goal for the club.

Craig Bellamy – Liverpool 2-1 Maccabi Haifa (2006)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 2006: Liverpool's Craig Bellamy in action against Newcastle United during the Premiership match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Craig Bellamy felt like an excellent signing for Liverpool in the summer of 2006, and he instantly found the net for the club he supported as a boy.

He equalised for the Reds from a rebound after they had gone behind at Anfield in surprise fashion to Maccabi Haifa in a Champions League qualifier.

Then another debutant did the rest…

Mark Gonzalez – Liverpool 2-1 Maccabi Haifa (2006)

Liverpool, England - Saturday, February 24, 2007: Liverpool's Robbie Fowler celebrates scoring the opening goal against Sheffield United from a penalty kick with his team-mate Mark Gonzalez, as goalkeeper Patrick Kenny looks dejected during the Premiership match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mark Gonzalez was a player who ultimately didn’t make the grade at Liverpool, with lightning pace but not much else.

That said, he got us all excited by scoring the winner against Maccabi in the 88th minute with a well-worked strike under pressure, saving Rafa Benitez‘s blushes and sealing a 2-1 win.

Abel Xavier – Ipswich 0-6 Liverpool (2002)

We end with Abel Xavier, the man who famously moved from Everton to Liverpool in 2002.

While Blues fans were still stewing about the defender moving across Stanley Park, he was busy opening the scoring with a finish across his body in a 6-0 drubbing of Ipswich at Portman Road.

It was a high point in a fairly forgettable Liverpool career.

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