Liverpool’s new signing, Federico Chiesa, recently made his debut for the club in a Champions League match against AC Milan. This is significant because Chiesa is the first player to make his debut under Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot. In this article, we will take a look at the debutants under each Liverpool manager since the Premier League era began in 1992.
Roy Evans was the first manager we will discuss, and his debutant was John Scales. Scales, a £3.5 million signing from Wimbledon, was a solid centre-back who played a key role in Evans’ first two seasons in charge. Unfortunately, injuries plagued Scales, and he struggled for appearances at subsequent clubs Tottenham and Ipswich before retiring in 2001.
Next up is Gerard Houllier, who gave Steven Gerrard his debut. This marked the beginning of a stellar career for Gerrard, who went on to become one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players. Houllier’s decision to give Gerrard his debut proved to be a masterstroke, as the midfielder became an integral part of the team for many years.
Rafa Benitez, another successful Liverpool manager, had two debutants in Djibril Cisse and Josemi. These players were part of Benitez’s summer signings, with Cisse and Josemi being the first to be used in a Champions League qualifying match against Grazer AK. While Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia became more distinguished players, Cisse and Josemi played their part in Benitez’s early days at Liverpool.
Roy Hodgson’s first-used players were David Amoo and Milan Jovanovic. Unfortunately, neither player established themselves at the club. Amoo only played seven minutes for Liverpool, while Jovanovic scored just two goals in his 38 appearances before joining Anderlecht in 2011.
Kenny Dalglish’s debutant was none other than Luis Suarez, who joined the club alongside Andy Carroll in a memorable January transfer window. Suarez wasted no time in making an impact, scoring in his debut against Stoke City. He went on to become one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever goalscorers during his time at the club.
Brendan Rodgers’ debutant was Fabio Borini, a player he had previously worked with at Chelsea and Swansea. Borini scored on his debut against FK Gomel, but his time at Liverpool was largely unremarkable, with only two more goals in his 38 appearances for the club.
Jurgen Klopp’s first debutant was Connor Randall, an academy full-back who made his debut in a Premier League match against Bournemouth. While Randall’s career at Liverpool was short-lived, Klopp went on to give debuts to some of the club’s best-ever players, such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Virgil van Dijk.
Finally, we come to Arne Slot, Liverpool’s current manager, whose first debutant is Federico Chiesa. Chiesa, a £12.5 million signing from Juventus, made his debut in the Champions League match against AC Milan. Liverpool fans have high hopes for Chiesa, and his few minutes on the pitch in his debut will have whetted his appetite for more.
In conclusion, Liverpool has seen a number of talented players make their debuts under different managers since the Premier League era began. From Steven Gerrard to Luis Suarez, these players have left a lasting impact on the club’s history. Liverpool fans will be hoping that Federico Chiesa can follow in their footsteps and become a key player for the team in the years to come.