15 players who have played for Liverpool and Manchester City

Liverpool and Manchester City have been the Premier League’s top two sides in recent years, battling it out for the title in what has proven to be a great modern rivalry.

The two adversaries lock horns once again this weekend, with Arne Slot’s side looking to wrest the Premier League trophy from the champions’ grasp, which looks like loosening with every passing week.

But have you ever wondered who has played for both the Reds and the Citizens in the Premier League era? In total, 15 players have turned out in red in Merseyside and City’s sky blue. We have taken a detailed look at every player who has played for both clubs.

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1

Nicolas Anelka

Liverpool 2001-2002, Man City 2002-2005

Talented French forward Nicolas Anelka first made his mark in England with Arsenal before heading abroad with Real Madrid and former club PSG.

However, Anelka would return to the Premier League, joining Liverpool on loan in December 2001 until the end of the 2001/02 season. He scored five goals during that time but the Reds didn’t pursue a permanent move, opening the door for Man City.

Anelka cost Man City around £13m and scored in the last ever Manchester Derby at Maine Road, as well as in a 2-1 win at Anfield against Liverpool to dent their top-four hopes. In total, the striker scored 45 times in 103 games for City.

2

Mario Balotelli

Man City 2010-2013, Liverpool 2014-2016

Man City and Liverpool were the only clubs Mario Balotelli played for in the Premier League, and the Italian certainly made an impact on and off the pitch in England.

After reuniting with Roberto Mancini at the Etihad, Balotelli won the Golden Boy Award with City and the Premier League and FA Cup. His only Premier League assist in a sky blue shirt was for Sergio Aguero’s memorable title winner against QPR in 2012.

He spent one year away from England before returning in 2014, with Liverpool bringing in the Italian as a replacement for Luis Suarez. Balotelli only scored four times for the Reds, though.

3

Craig Bellamy

Liverpool 2006-2007, 2011-2012; Man City 2009-2011

Another controversial forward during his playing days was Craig Bellamy, who had two 12-month stints with Liverpool and a two-year spell with Man City.

The Welshman lifted the League Cup with the Reds in 2012 but failed to win silverware in Manchester. Bellamy scored 18 league goals in total for Liverpool and netted 15 times in the top flight for City.

4

Scott Carson

Liverpool 2005-2008, Man City 2019-present

Goalkeeper Scott Carson has won the Champions League with both Liverpool and Man City, albeit without playing a regular role for either side.

After coming through Leeds United’s academy, Carson joined Liverpool in 2005 to provide competition for Jerzy Dudek, but he failed to break into the Reds’ first-team plans and left permanently three years later.

In 2019, Carson signed for Pep Guardiola’s star-studded City side as their third-choice goalkeeper. He has been a popular figure behind the scenes but has made just two Etihad appearances, making his debut in May 2021.

5

Nigel Clough

Liverpool 1993-1996, Man City 1996-1998

Son of iconic manager Brian Clough, Nigel Clough was a versatile forward during his playing days and was sold by Liverpool to Man City during the 1990s.

After coming through at Nottingham Forest, Clough cost Liverpool £2.25m in 1993 and scored twice on his Reds debut. However, things didn’t work out at Anfield and three years later, Liverpool took a slight loss by selling Clough to Man City.

The attacker couldn’t save the Citizens from relegation during his time there, and will be remembered for his days at Forest and Burton Albion.

6

Robbie Fowler

Liverpool 1992-2001, 2006-2007; Man City 2003-2006

Striker Robbie Fowler is best remembered for his time as a Liverpool player, penning professional terms after coming through the Reds’ academy in 1992.

He played an important role in Liverpool’s cup treble in 2000/01 and after a spell with Leeds United, joined Man City in 2003. Fowler made just under 100 appearances for City, but a return to Liverpool on a free transfer materialised in 2006.

In total, Fowler scored 183 times and provided 50 assists in 369 Liverpool games.

7

Dietmar Hamann

Liverpool 1999-2006, Man City 2006-2009

Defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann arguably enjoyed the prime of his career as a Liverpool player, making 283 appearances for the Reds and winning eight major honours at Anfield.

Bizarrely, Hamann left Liverpool and spent a day as a Bolton Wanderers player after penning pre-contract terms with the club in 2006, but he had second thoughts on a move and was allowed to join Man City for £400,000 in compensation.

The German spent three years with City before ending his career at MK Dons.

8

David James

Liverpool 1992-1999, Man City 2004-2006

Goalkeeper David James made more appearances for Liverpool (277) than any of his nine other clubs during his career. After seven years at Anfield, James was sold to Aston Villa and then played for West Ham before moving to Man City.

Famously being brought on as a centre-forward on the final day of the 2004/05 season with City looking to qualify for Europe, James made 100 appearances for City.

9

Mark Kennedy

Liverpool 1995-1998, Man City 1999-2001

Mark Kennedy, who played as a left-midfielder or left-back during his career, is best known for his time as a Wolves player, but also turned out for Liverpool and Man City.

The Reds paid around £1.5m to sign Kennedy from Millwall when he was just 18, but he made just 20 senior appearances across three years.

The 34-cap Republic of Ireland international then had time with City over the millennium and helped them win promotion, but he was also a part of the squad that was relegated.

10

Steve McManaman

Liverpool 1990-1999, Man City 2003-2005

A winger during his playing days, Steve McManaman came through Liverpool’s academy and spent nine years as a professional on Merseyside. McManaman won two trophies with Liverpool and made more than 350 appearances before joining Real Madrid in a high-profile free transfer.

Now known for his role as a co-commentator, McManaman ended his playing career after being released by Man City in 2005 at the age of 33.

11

James Milner

Man City 2010-2015, Liverpool 2015-2023

James Milner is arguably the most successful player for both Man City and Liverpool, winning 12 honours across his spells for both clubs.

The versatile star came through the academy at Leeds United and joined Man City after spells at Newcastle United and Aston Villa. He’d play a key role in City’s transformation to the top, but left the Etihad on a free transfer in 2015.

Milner would go on to feature heavily during the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield, lifting the Champions League with the Reds. In total, Milner made more than 500 appearances combined for both clubs (Liverpool 332, Man City 203).

12

Albert Riera

Man City 2006, Liverpool 2008-2010

Some may not realise that Albert Riera had a short spell on loan at Man City from Espanyol years prior to his eventual permanent transfer to Liverpool in 2008.

The winger scored just once for the Citizens, with Liverpool willing to pay £8m and hand Riera the No 11 shirt two years later. The Spaniard joined on transfer deadline day but struggled to live up to expectations and was sold in 2010.

13

Raheem Sterling

Liverpool 2012-2015, Man City 2015-2022

Arguably the highest-profile transfer involving the two clubs saw Raheem Sterling leave Liverpool for Man City in 2015. The winger came through the Anfield academy and made an impact at first-team level, which resulted in City paying a fee of just under £50m.

He became the most expensive British player at the time and helped City win 10 major honours, making 339 appearances and scoring 131 goals during that time.

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14

Daniel Sturridge

Man City 2006-2009, Liverpool 2013-2019

Daniel Sturridge’s purple patch during his career came with Liverpool, but the forward came through Man City’s academy, penning professional terms in 2006 at the age of 17.

He would then leave City on a free transfer for Chelsea in 2009, and in early 2013, Liverpool paid the Blues £12m for Sturridge’s services. The Englishman would feature alongside Luis Suarez at Anfield and would go on to play more times (160) and score more goals (68) than at any of his other clubs.

15

Kolo Toure

Man City 2009-2013, Liverpool 2013-2016

Many will remember Kolo Toure for his time at Arsenal, whom he left for Man City in 2009. The Ivorian would go on to help City win their first Premier League title three years later, and in total, Toure made 102 appearances at the Etihad.

He then left Manchester for Liverpool in 2013 and took the No 4 shirt, but failed to follow up his Premier League title successes with Arsenal and City with the Reds.