Hugo Ekitike enjoyed a Premier League debut to remember for Liverpool, but what have been the best Reds bows over the past 30-odd years?
Liverpool had four debutants against Bournemouth last Friday, with Ekitike joined by Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez in the starting lineup.
The former scored and assisted in the Reds’ 4-2 win over the Cherries, making a flying start to life at Anfield.
After Ekitike’s star turn, it has got us thinking about the best Liverpool debuts in the Premier League era, from any competition.
Here are 10 that stand out.
Virgil van Dijk – 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)
We all dream of scoring in front of the Kop against Everton on our Liverpool debut.
Virgil van Dijk made that dream a reality on his first Reds appearance in January 2018, as the Merseyside rivals met in the FA Cup third round.
After a typically assured debut at the heart of the defence, the Dutchman rose highest to head home the winner with six minutes remaining.
It sealed a 2-1 victory for Liverpool, and Van Dijk has never looked back since, becoming one of the best players in the club’s history.
Mohamed Salah – Watford (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)
Mohamed Salah now has 246 goals for Liverpool – predictably, he got his first on his debut at Watford back in 2017.
The Egyptian King immediately showed his predatory instincts by sprinting in and getting on the end of a Roberto Firmino chip.
What Salah has achieved in the eight years since is remarkable, with the 33-year-old now third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts.
How close will he get to Ian Rush‘s record tally of 346?
Sadio Mane – Arsenal (2016)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 14, 2016: Liverpool's Sadio Mane in action against Arsenal's Rob Holding during the FA Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Has there been a better debut celebration than Sadio Mane‘s away to Arsenal in August 2016?
The Senegalese felt like a game-changing signing when he joined from Southampton, and his stunner at the Emirates was a standout moment on the opening weekend of the 2016/17 season.
Mane dribbled his way into the area and fired an arrowed shot into the top corner, before leaping onto Jurgen Klopp‘s shoulders in celebration.
While the likes of Salah, Van Dijk and Alisson arrived soon after, Mane felt like the first truly elite signing of the Klopp era at Liverpool.
Simon Mignolet – Stoke (2013)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 17, 2013: Liverpool's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet celebrates with team-mates after saving a late Stoke City penalty during the Premiership match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Simon Mignolet may not have become the Liverpool legend that others on this list did, but his debut was every bit as influential.
In the opening game of 2013/14 at home to Stoke, it looked like the Reds had thrown away two points after conceding a late penalty.
Mignolet had other ideas, however, denying boyhood Everton fan Jon Walters and also saving the rebound, being surrounded by his teammates afterwards.
It preserved Liverpool’s 1-0 lead, with Brendan Rodgers’ Reds eventually going agonisingly close to winning the title that season.
Daniel Sturridge – Mansfield (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)
Granted, Liverpool’s matches against Mansfield throughout history haven’t been too memorable, but their 2013 FA Cup meeting was for one key reason.
The game saw Daniel Sturridge appear for the Reds for the first time, and he made a great early impression, scoring after only seven minutes.
Sturridge added so much quality to Liverpool’s attack midway through the 2012/13 season, netting in five of his first seven outings.
Had it not been for injury woes, he could have been a Reds great.
Luis Suarez – 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)
There have been few more talented players in Liverpool’s history than Luis Suarez, who made an instant impression at home to Stoke in February 2011.
The Uruguayan was brought in as Fernando Torres’ direct replacement, but he immediately made Reds supporters forget about their former hero.
Suarez rolled a shot into the Kop net on his debut at home to Stoke, sealing a 2-0 win, before celebrating in delighted fashion.
What he produced over the next three-and-a-half years was sheer genius.
Fernando Torres – Chelsea (2007)
Liverpool, England - Sunday, August 19, 2007: Liverpool's Fernando Torres celebrates scoring the opening goal against Chelsea during the Premiership match at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ekitike’s Liverpool bow has drawn comparisons with Torres’, not least because of a debut strike in front of the Anfield Road Stand.
The Spaniard made a dream start to life at Anfield when he roasted Tal Ben Haim and found the net against Chelsea in a huge opening game in 2007/08.
Torres showed his power, pace over a short distance and nerveless finishing ability, instantly becoming the new poster boy at Liverpool.
A shocking penalty decision allowed Chelsea to draw 1-1, but ‘El Nino’ excelled for the Reds before he controversially joined the Blues in January 2011.
Michael Owen – Wimbledon – 1997
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 7, 1997: Liverpool's Michael Owen in action against Manchester United during the FA Youth Cup match at Anfield. United won 2-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There haven’t been many better teenagers in Liverpool’s history than Michael Owen.
Big things were expected of him for years leading up to his first-team debut, which came away to Wimbledon at the back end of 1996/97.
With Liverpool trailing 2-0, some inspiration was needed, and a 17-year-old Owen raced through and slotted home just 16 minutes after being introduced.
A star was born, even though the Reds still lost 2-1.
Stan Collymore – Sheffield Wednesday (1995)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 6, 1996: Liverpool's Stan Collymore celebrates scoring the second of his hat-trick of goals against Rochdale during the FA Cup 3rd Round match at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Stan Collymore ultimately didn’t reach the heights many expected of him at Liverpool, but what a start he made!
An £8.5 million summer signing from Nottingham Forest – a huge fee at the time – the striker scored the only goal at home to Sheffield Wednesday in August 1995.
Twisting and turning 30 yards from goal, Collymore then curled a magnificent effort into the corner, before wheeling away in delight.
At that point, it felt like Liverpool had signed their next great striker, but sadly, it didn’t pan out that way.
Robbie Fowler – Fulham (1993)
Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler celebrates after scoring his second goal against Arsenal. 1994 ( CROFT MALCOLM CROFT/PA Archive/PA Images)
At 18, Robbie Fowler was a prodigious talent with the world at his feet, and he showcased his quality on his debut.
The legendary striker finished clinically in a 3-1 win away to Fulham in the League Cup in September 1993, scoring the first of 183 goals for the Reds.
Incredibly, Fowler then bagged all five goals in a 5-0 win in the return leg, in just his fourth appearance for Liverpool.
Has there ever been a more natural finisher for the Reds?