Liverpool's greatest PL goal: The case for John Arne Riise
It didn't take too long for John Arne Riise to endear himself to Kopites.
A stunning free-kick against one of Liverpool’s fiercest rivals is a fast-track path to popularity and few set-pieces can match the Norwegian’s 2001 piledriver past Manchester United in the modern era.
The roar his thunderbolt prompted from the stands said it all in the moment, and the strike’s progress through to the final of our search for the club’s greatest Premier League goal is evidence of the fondness with which it is remembered.
Billy Liddell once famously burst the ball with a shot so powerful that the bag of leather caved in, and Riise must have run him close with his own forceful effort 16 years ago.
The Reds were already 1-0 up courtesy of a fine curled strike from Michael Owen when they were awarded a free-kick in shooting range at the Anfield Road end.
Dietmar Hamann simply rolled the ball sideways.
And Riise took over, thumping a ferocious finish that flew beyond the reach of Fabien Barthez into the top corner of the net with almost unnecessary venom, clocked at more than 70 miles per hour.
Having joined the club the previous summer, the left-sider had already notched a brilliant solo goal in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, but his reputation was enhanced even further courtesy of his effort against the Red Devils.
From the commentary position in the old gantry in the Main Stand you could sense the stadium shake with the sheer joy of the moment.
Riise wheeled away in delight and pulled his shirt over his head, unable to control his emotions.
And who could blame him? How had he scored that goal? Liverpool’s greatest Premier League goal.