From Nick Barmby’s £6m betrayal to Conor Coady’s loan shock. Here is the definitive list of players who played for both Liverpool and Everton.
Why is crossing the divide so rare?
In the modern Premier League Era, direct business between Liverpool and Everton is practically non-existent. The reason is simple: the tribalism of the city.
Football is a religion in Liverpool, and swapping the Red shirt for the Blue (or vice versa) is viewed by fans as an unforgivable betrayal. The intense media scrutiny, the hostile reception in the streets of the city, and the unbearable pressure of derby days mean very few players are willing to risk their legacies to cross the divide.
Despite this immense pressure, a brave (or crazy) few have done it. Here is the ultimate list of the 8 players who played for both Liverpool and Everton.
1. Conor Coady (The Most Recent Outfield Player)
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Liverpool: 2012-2014 (Apps: 2) | Everton: 2022-2023 (Apps: 25 | Goals: 2)
Conor Coady represents the most high-profile modern example of crossing the divide.
A lifelong Liverpool fan who came through the Reds’ academy, Coady made two senior appearances before building a stellar career at Wolves.
In a shocking twist in the summer of 2022, Everton brought the boyhood Red to Goodison Park on loan. He became a vital defensive leader for Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche, temporarily putting his childhood allegiances aside to fight in a relegation battle for the Blues.
2. Andy Lonergan
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Liverpool: 2019-2020 (Apps: 0) | Everton: 2021-2024 (Apps: 0)
Technically, the veteran goalkeeper is the most recent player to be on the books for both clubs.
Lonergan served as an emergency backup goalkeeper for Liverpool during their title-winning 2019/20 season (earning a UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup medal without playing).
Shortly after, he crossed Stanley Park to fulfill a similar veteran backup role at Everton from 2021 until his release in 2024.
3. Abel Xavier
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Everton: 1999-2002 (Apps: 49) | Liverpool: 2002-2003 (Apps: 21 | Goals: 2)
The eccentric Portuguese defender, famous for his bleached-blonde hair and beard, holds a unique piece of history: he is the last player to transfer directly between the two clubs.
In January 2002, with his contract winding down at Goodison Park, Liverpool shockingly paid £800,000 to bring him across Stanley Park. He even scored on his Liverpool debut, further cementing his status as a notorious figure in Merseyside history.
4. Nick Barmby
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Everton: 1996-2000 (Apps: 132 | Goals: 24) | Liverpool: 2000-2002 (Apps: 58 | Goals: 8)
Nick Barmby committed the ultimate sin in the eyes of Evertonians.
After four highly successful years as a fan favorite at Goodison Park, Barmby explicitly requested a transfer to their bitter rivals. Liverpool paid Everton £6 million for his services in 2000.
The move made him public enemy number one at Everton, especially when he celebrated wildly after scoring against them in his very first Merseyside Derby in Red.
5. Gary Ablett
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Liverpool: 1986-1992 (Apps: 147) | Everton: 1992-1996 (Apps: 156)
A true Merseyside legend who bridged the gap between the old First Division and the dawn of the Premier League era.
Ablett made a direct £750,000 switch from Liverpool to Everton in 1992. Amazingly, he is the only player in history to win the FA Cup with both Merseyside clubs (1989 with Liverpool, 1995 with Everton).
6. Don Hutchison
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Liverpool: 1990-1994 (Apps: 60 | Goals: 10) | Everton: 1998-2000 (Apps: 89 | Goals: 12)
The Scottish midfielder began his career with Liverpool during the transitional early years of the Premier League.
After leaving Anfield and having stints at West Ham and Sheffield United, he surprisingly found his way back to Merseyside in 1998, this time signing for Everton. He became a vital player and even captained the Blues during a difficult era.
- READ MORE: From Dicks to Andy Carroll: 15 Direct Transfers Between Liverpool and West Ham, ft. Don Hutchinson
7. Sander Westerveld
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Liverpool: 1999-2001 (Apps: 103) | Everton: 2006 (Apps: 2)
The Dutch goalkeeper was Liverpool’s undisputed number one during their historic 2001 Treble-winning season (League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Cup).
Years after leaving Anfield, Everton suffered a massive goalkeeper injury crisis in 2006 and brought Westerveld in on a shocking 28-day emergency loan from Portsmouth. He played just two games for the Toffees.
8. David Burrows
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Liverpool: 1988-1993 (Apps: 193) | Everton: 1994-1995 (Apps: 23)
A reliable left-back who spent five successful years at Anfield, winning the league title.
He left Liverpool for West Ham in 1993, but just a year later, he was signed by Everton’s manager Mike Walker. His time at Goodison Park was short-lived, lasting only one season before he moved on to Coventry City.
- READ MORE: From Dicks to Andy Carroll: 15 Direct Transfers Between Liverpool and West Ham, ft. David Burrows
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Did Rafael Benítez manage both Liverpool and Everton?
A: Yes, in one of the most controversial managerial appointments in Premier League history.
Rafael Benítez is a Liverpool legend, guiding the Reds to the 2005 Champions League “Miracle of Istanbul”.
Despite his iconic status at Anfield, Everton hired him as their manager in the summer of 2021. The decision sparked massive outrage from the Everton fanbase, and his disastrous reign lasted just six and a half months before he was sacked.
Q: Who was the last player to transfer directly between Liverpool and Everton?
A: Abel Xavier was the last player to make a direct transfer between the two fierce rivals. He moved from Everton to Liverpool in January 2002 for a fee of £800,000.
Q: Who is the most recent player to play for both clubs?
A: While Andy Lonergan was on Everton’s roster until 2024, the most recent high-profile outfield player to feature for both is Conor Coady. A Liverpool academy graduate, Coady joined Everton on loan for the 2022-2023 season and played a crucial role in their Premier League survival.
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