Liverpool have had plenty of players shine on the biggest stage in football, but not too many who found the net with consistency at the World Cup.
This list is not about every World Cup goal scored by someone who once played for the Reds, it is only about goals scored at the tournament while they were actually contracted to Liverpool.
Use that filter and the numbers drop quickly. In fact, only six players in the club’s history have managed two or more. It’s the names you would expect.
Which Liverpool player would you most like to see lift the World Cup this summer?
And which one has the best chance…
Virgil van Dijk pictured in action during the Netherlands' UEFA Nations League match against Hungary (Credit: Getty Images/Photo by Andre Weening/BSR Agency).
Alisson Becker pictured during Brazil's Copa America match against Costa Rica (Getty Images/PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP).
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for France during their FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Ukraine (Credit: Getty Images/Franco Arland).
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring during Argentina's FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Brazil (Credit: Getty Images/Marcelo Endelli).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Andre Weening/BSR Agency/Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Franco Arland/Marcelo Endelli
World Cup top scorers while at Liverpool
6. Kenny Dalglish – Scotland, 2 goals in 5 games
Widely considered to be Liverpool’s greatest-ever player, Dalglish punched above his weight at the World Cup. Goals against the Netherlands and New Zealand get him over the threshold.
The Scotsman has three more appearances at the tournament from before his move to Anfield, but no goals in those fixtures.
5. Mohamed Salah – Egypt, 2 goals in 2 games
Salah’s World Cup story is a frustratingly short one, but he still did enough to make this list. Two goals in two games is a sharp return, even if Egypt did not give him much of a platform beyond that.
During the 2018 tournament, he scored a penalty against Russia and a goal against Saudi Arabia. Salah might not be a Liverpool player by the time this year’s edition kicks off.
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
4. Luis Suarez – Uruguay, 2 goals in 2 games
Suarez did far more damage at the World Cup across his full Uruguay career, but only two of those goals came while he was a Liverpool player. Even so, two in two is a decent return.
Overall, though, Suarez is in a league of his own. Seven goals in 16 appearances would be good enough to top this list if he stayed at Liverpool.
3. Roger Hunt – England, 3 goals in 6 games
The only World Cup winner on this list, Hunt was part of the England side that won the trophy back in 1966. All three of his goals came during that run, and he is a massive reason why they went all the way.
He managed a goal against Mexico and a brace to get past France and into the knockouts. He tailed off output-wise in the knockouts, but started every game of that historic campaign.
2. Steven Gerrard – England, 3 goals in 12 games
Gerrard never had one truly iconic World Cup campaign, but his numbers still stack up well. Three goals across 12 appearances while at Liverpool is enough to put him near the very top.
He scored in 2006 against Trinidad and Tobago, followed by Sweden. Four years later, he grabbed England’s only goal against the USA in the opening game. They never quite got over the hump during his years captaining his country.
Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard posing in England training gear
3 Oct 2000: Michael Owen (left) and Steven Gerrard (right) of England pose during a photoshoot before the World Cup 2002 Qualifying match against Germany held at Burnham Beeches Hotel, in London. Mandatory Credit: Jamie McDonald /Allsport
1. Michael Owen – England, 4 goals in 9 games
Owen sits alone at the top. He played another three World Cup games after leaving, but his Reds years still produced four goals in nine appearances, which remains the best return of any Liverpool player while at Anfield.
He scored against Romania and Argentina in 1998. In 2002, it was one against Denmark in the Round of 16 and again during England’s 2-1 loss to Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Will be interesting to see if any current players can break into the list this summer.
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