Christmas crackers!

Two goals ahead through first-half efforts from Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Case, manager Bob Paisley's side were already enjoying a good day at Old Trafford when David Fairclough gained possession in the 67th minute. He takes up the story: “A Cruyff turn past Gordon McQueen, out towards the right corner of the penalty area, was followed by a jinking run that saw me cut a swathe through a further three defenders before flicking the ball past [goalkeeper] Gary Bailey.” The Liverpool Echo reported that the effort even brought some applause from the home supporters. Unfortunately no footage of it exists, as far as we know…

Despite being more well-known for his combative challenges in the centre of the park, McMahon was also capable of scoring with brilliant strikes from distance. This – the last goal of the Boxing Day clash after the two Johns, Aldridge and Barnes, had found the net – was another of those. When he gained possession and moved forward without anyone closing him down, the midfielder decided to shoot and unleashed a stunning effort that seemed to move in the air and then dip into the top corner. “Could have been a fluke?” one tongue-in-cheek commentator asked. No chance. Another great goal in a memorable 86/87 title-winning season.

During the previous season 'God' had scored THAT hat-trick plus a winner at Highbury, so Arsenal must have known he wouldn't show them any festive goodwill back at Anfield. Initially, though, it was a visiting striker in the spotlight, Ian Wright, opening the scoring on eight minutes. Then Fowler took over. His equaliser was the pick of what would become a hat-trick. Linking well with Stan Collymore, he took one touch before using his 'weaker' right foot to hit a powerful rising finish beyond the grasp of David Seaman. The hat-trick was completed with a low drive and a header. Routine for Fowler.

Despite trailing to a Magpies goal, Roy Evans' team continued to attack with intent and when the equaliser arrived it was a stunning effort. Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler combined well before the ball was worked in to the path of McManaman. His first touch saw him use his chest to take down the pass. Letting it bounce once, he then smashed an outside-of-the-boot volley across goal and in off the far post while the Geordies keeper Shaka Hislop remained motionless. Three minutes before half-time McManaman got his second of the night, and the winner.

“Gerrard, oh what a good strike,” Match of the Day's Tony Gubba declared just two days before Christmas 2000. The comment followed the then 20-year-old Scouser's fine half-volley to open the scoring against the Gunners. When Markus Babbel's long throw was only half cleared it was Gerrard who reacted quickest to send a low drive zipping into the far corner. It was just his fifth goal for the club and the sight of him arrowing the ball into the opposition's net would become a familiar one over the years that followed.

“I was almost possessed with the thought of scoring a hat-trick,” Riise later confessed. Instead, the Norwegian had to settle with assists for Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Luis Garcia and two goals of his own, the second of those really catching the eye. Xabi Alonso's pass across the box was missed by a host of players before it came in to Riise's path. Some might have taken a touch. 'Ginge' opted to hit it first time. Such was the ferocity of the drive that the ball seemed to still be accelerating as it reached the top corner.

Goals from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard on a freezing evening at Goodison Park had put Rafa Benitez's side in control early on. But when James Beattie halved the deficit before the break, Everton must have fancied their chances of a comeback. Those hopes were extinguished by a superb Djibril Cisse effort just two minutes into the second half. Harry Kewell set the Frenchman away down the left channel, although he still had plenty to do. Skipping past Blues defender David Weir was the first step, then he curled a lovely low finish around keeper Nigel Martyn and into the far corner.

A 12.45 kick-off on New Year's Day probably meant a large chunk of the Anfield crowd were still just stirring as they sat in their seats. Those in a slumber were disturbed in stunning fashion just after the hour. Dirk Kuyt and Jermaine Pennant linked up on the right flank to create some space before the latter delivered a cross into the box. While the ball was travelling through the air Crouch adjusted his body before spectacularly dispatching a bicycle kick to the net. The first LFC goal of 2007 was probably the best.

Either of the two goals the Uruguayan registered on this day could make our list but we'll go for the opener, a perfect volley. When Cardiff arrived at Anfield for their first league visit since December 1959, Suarez was in the form of his life, scoring eight times in his three previous outings. And he was at it again in the 25th minute. A neat passing move concluded with Jordan Henderson lobbing the ball towards the edge of the box where Suarez had intelligently found space. With exact timing his right foot clinically dispatched the ball beyond David Marshall.

After dominating first-half proceedings, the Reds deservedly went ahead when an Arsenal attempt at a counter-attack broke down. Jordan Henderson cut in from the right wing before finding Coutinho inside the 'D' on the edge of the box. Showing the clever feet he had honed by playing futsal as a youngster back in Brazil, the number 10 shifted the ball to his right to get away from defenders and create some space for a shot. The low effort was exactly right, flying across the grass and finishing in the net via the post. Goal!