LIVERPOOL take on Manchester City in the pick of the weekend’s Premier League action, with plenty to play for.
While many have already suggested the title is already done and dusted, a loss in this one could spark feelings of doubt in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
After 22 games, they’ve failed to lose a single game, with Liverpool‘s attacking ranks more than capable of damaging any team in the world.
Ahead of Sunday’s showdown at Anfield, we take a look at the history between the two clubs… more specifically, the stars to turn out for both clubs in the Premier League era.
There are 14 players to have managed the feat… spoiler alert, they’re mostly forwards!
GOALKEEPER
MOST famous of course for his long and occasionally error-prone time at Liverpool, James of course spent two seasons at Man City later in his career.
The 53-cap England stopper made over 800 league appearances in his remarkable 26-year career – with over a quarter of those coming on Merseyside.
James is the only goalkeeper to have played for both Liverpool and City in the Premier League era.
MORE FOOTBALL FEATURES
DEFENDERS
Kolo Toure – 46 games for Liverpool, 82 games for Man City
Mark Kennedy – 16 games for Liverpool, 25 games for Man City
AFTER spending seven seasons at Arsenal, Toure spent a further seven seasons at Liverpool and City combined – four at the Etihad and three at Anfield.
The Ivorian mustered a Premier League title – City’s first ever – in 2011-12, while going trophyless at the Reds.
Meanwhile, the only other defender to play for both teams is the former most-expensive teenager in British football, Kennedy.
The Irish wing-back was something of a flop for both teams though, despite the hype following his move to the Reds from Millwall.
TIME TO GO Five players each of the Premier League top six need to sell this January, including Theo Walcott and Daniel Sturridge
MIDFIELDERS
James Milner – 90 games for Liverpool, 147 games for Man City
Dietmar Hamann – 191 games for Liverpool, 54 games for Man City
Steve McManaman – 240 games for Liverpool, 35 games for Man City
Nigel Clough – 39 games for Liverpool, 15 games for Man City
Albert Riera – 40 games for Liverpool, 15 games for Man City
NO fewer than five midfielders turned out for both teams – and a high-profile group it is too.
As well as the versatile Milner, Liverpool legends Hamann and McManaman spent some time at City later in their careers.
Meanwhile, Clough spent short stints at both the Reds and City, with Premier League flop Riera – a real forgotten man – the only other midfielder to represent both sides.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
FORWARDS
Raheem Sterling – 95 games for Liverpool, 67 games for Man City
Robbie Fowler – 266 games for Liverpool, 80 games for Man City
Craig Bellamy – 54 games for Liverpool, 40 games for Man City
Mario Balotelli – 16 games for Liverpool, 54 games for Man City
Daniel Sturridge – 98 games for Liverpool, 21 games for Man City
Nicolas Anelka – 20 games for Liverpool, 89 games for Man City
THE real creme de la creme on our list though comes in the forward ranks.
First up of course there’s Sterling, lighting up the Premier League with a team-high 18 goals for City this season.
Liverpool legend Fowler – known as “God” at Anfield – also spent time at City, while Bellamy split his time fairly equally at both clubs.
Controversial superstar Balotelli endured a tough time at the Reds following his time at the Etihad.
Sturridge, Liverpool’s star in 2013-14, kicked-off his career at City, while Anelka played for both teams thanks to a hugely successful loan spell at the Reds in 2001-02 – immediately prior to his time in Manchester.
Leave a comment