Five best players who have played for both Real Madrid and Liverpool

Add as a preferred source on Google

Two of Europe's most fabled and successful clubs Real Madrid and Liverpool will lock horns in the Champions League once again in midweek (22nd Feb 2023) as the Premier League giants host the defending winners in a highly anticipated match at Anfield.

No other teams in Spain and England have more trophies respectively than these two giants. As such, both teams have produced some outstanding players and it is regarded as a big privilege for a footballer to represent both teams in their careers.

With a mouth-watering clash awaiting let's take a look at the five best players who have represented both Real Madrid and Liverpool in their careers-

5. Fernando Morientes

Between 1997 and 2005, the Spanish striker experienced one of the best days of his footballing career at Bernabeu where he won La Liga twice and the Champions League three times, having scored 100 goals and recording 33 assists further. However, the arrival of two-star strikers Ronaldo De Nazario and Michael Owen pushed him down in the pecking order. After a loan spell to AS Monaco, he signed for Liverpool in January 2005. The Spanish striker however could only manage 12 goals in 61 games for the Reds after he left the club for Valencia in 2007.

4. Michael Owen

After bursting into the first team as a 17-year-old, the Golden boy of Merseyside scored 118 goals in 216 Premier League, becoming one of the hottest young strikers on the planet. Real Madrid did not wait to sign him on in 2004. However, the move completely backfired. He could not cope with the competition with the likes of Raul and Ronaldo. Just after a season in Spain with 16 goals in 46 games, out of which most were from the bench, he returned to Newcastle United on a permanent deal.

3. Alvaro Arbeloa

After joining Liverpool from Deportivo La Coruna in 2006, he spent two and a half years as a regular starter in Rafael Benitez's back line, in one of the most recognizable and cherished Liverpool teams. However, Madrid snapped their former academy player in 2009 for just £3.5 million which could be one of the best bargains in their club history. The versatile defender then spent seven years at Bernabeu, winning La Liga once and the Champions League twice.

2. Steve McManaman

Another Liverpool hero who was poached from the Reds and had a great career in Spain. The English attacker was regarded as one of the best wide men of the early Premier League years. McManaman was a key figure in Liverpool's success between 1990 and 1999. But a contract stand-off saw him signing for Madrid. Unlike other English stars, he however experienced a fairly notable time at Madrid, scoring eight times in 94 league appearances and playing a prominent part in the Champions League final win over Valencia in 2000.

1. Xabi Alonso

Arguably the best name on this list who has represented both Liverpool and Real Madrid. Alonso controlled the middle of Anfield with his amazing vision and skillful passes contributing significantly to Liverpool's most recent two major trophy victories, the 2006 FA Cup victory and the 2005 Champions League success.

He then signed for Madrid in the summer of 2009 and maintained the same standard for another five seasons, helping them to La Liga and the 2013-14 Champions League title, among a haul of trophies.