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.
Despite pressure from Arsenal, it was Arne Slot’s side who reigned supreme over their two top-flight rivals, winning back the Premier League trophy in 2024/25.
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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Player
Liverpool debut
Man City debut
Nigel Clough
1993
1995
Mark Kennedy
1994
1999
Nicolas Anelka
2001
2002
Robbie Fowler
1993
2003
Steve McManaman
1990
2003
David James
1992
2004
Dietmar Hamann
1999
2006
Albert Riera
2008
2006
Craig Bellamy
2006
2009
Daniel Sturridge
2013
2006
Kolo Toure
2013
2009
Mario Balotelli
2014
2010
James Milner
2015
2010
Raheem Sterling
2011
2015
Scott Carson
2005
2021
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.