Discover the complete list of 13 players who played for both Liverpool and Chelsea. Detailed stats and career deep-dives for Salah, Torres, and more!
The rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea is one of the most intense in modern football, forged in the fires of iconic Champions League semi-finals and high-stakes Premier League battles.
While the fans rarely see eye-to-eye, the transfer market has seen a surprising amount of traffic between Anfield and Stamford Bridge and these crossovers always make headlines.
Here is the definitive list of 13 players who have worn both the Liverpool and Chelsea shirts.
1. Mohamed Salah
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Chelsea: 2013-2014 (Apps: 18 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 3) | Liverpool: 2017-2025 (Apps: 438 | Goals: 256 | Assists: 120)
Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly the most successful player to have graced both kits.
Signed by Chelsea from FC Basel, he was never truly given a chance to shine under José Mourinho’s rigid system. It was his transformative move to Italy – first on loan to Fiorentina and then an explosive stint with AS Roma – that alerted the world to his true potential.
Liverpool spent £36.9 million to bring him back to England from Roma in 2017, and he has since become an all-time Anfield great. With 256 goals, he spearheaded Liverpool’s modern golden era, winning both the Premier League and Champions League while establishing himself as the premier winger of his generation.
2. Fernando Torres
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Liverpool: 2007-2010 (Apps: 128 | Goals: 77 | Assists: 13) | Chelsea: 2010-2014 (Apps: 148 | Goals: 36 | Assists: 21)
Fernando Torres remains the most iconic direct transfer in the history of this rivalry.
Arriving at Liverpool from his boyhood club Atlético Madrid, “El Niño” quickly became a world-class striker, a whirlwind of speed and finishing that terrified every defender in Europe. His shock £50 million move directly to Chelsea in January 2011 shattered Liverpool’s fanbase.
While he famously struggled to replicate his goalscoring form in London, he secured the trophies that eluded him at Anfield, notably scoring the legendary breakaway goal against Barcelona to seal Chelsea’s path to their historic 2012 Champions League triumph before eventually moving to AC Milan.
3. Raheem Sterling
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Liverpool: 2011-2014 (Apps: 119 | Goals: 22 | Assists: 16) | Chelsea: 2022-2023 (Apps: 81 | Goals: 19 | Assists: 12)
Raheem Sterling’s career has been marked by high-profile transfers between England’s biggest clubs.
Plucked from Queens Park Rangers’ youth system by Liverpool, he rose to stardom as a teenager, forming a frightening attacking trio alongside Luis Suárez that nearly won the title in 2014. After a highly successful seven-year spell at Manchester City, he made a blockbuster £47.5 million move to Chelsea in 2022.
However, his time at Stamford Bridge fizzled out into a disappointment. Failing to replicate his City form and carrying a massive £325,000-a-week wage, Sterling eventually became viewed as a severe financial burden. He was exiled from the first team by head coach Enzo Maresca and endured a forgettable loan spell at Arsenal, where he managed just a single goal.
Recognizing there was no future for him in London, Chelsea and Sterling mutually terminated his contract in January 2026. Desperate to reignite his fading career, Sterling made a shock move to the Netherlands, joining Feyenoord on a free transfer in February 2026.
4. Daniel Sturridge
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Chelsea: 2009-2012 (Apps: 79 | Goals: 15 | Assists: 4) | Liverpool: 2012-2018 (Apps: 154 | Goals: 63 | Assists: 20)
Daniel Sturridge is a player of immense natural talent whose best years were unlocked after leaving London.
Starting his professional career at Manchester City, he moved to Chelsea but found himself frustrated by a lack of central attacking roles, though a highly successful loan spell at Bolton Wanderers proved his lethal finishing ability. This led to a £12 million move to Liverpool in January 2013.
Under Brendan Rodgers, he formed the devastating “SAS” partnership with Suárez, scoring 63 goals for the Reds. Although his later career was tragically limited by recurring injuries, Sturridge’s technical brilliance made him a cult hero at Anfield.
5. Nicolas Anelka
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Liverpool: 2001 (Apps: 20 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 2) | Chelsea: 2007-2011 (Apps: 162 | Goals: 50 | Assists: 21)
Nicolas Anelka had a famously nomadic career, but his stints at Liverpool and Chelsea were highly significant. He arrived at Liverpool on loan from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2001 for a productive half-season, but the club chose not to sign him permanently.
After rebuilding his Premier League reputation with brilliant spells at Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea purchased him in 2008. At Stamford Bridge, Anelka found incredible stability. He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2009 and a league title in 2010, forming a highly intelligent and devastating strike partnership with Didier Drogba.
6. Joe Cole
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Chelsea: 2003-2009 (Apps: 234 | Goals: 32 | Assists: 30) | Liverpool: 2010-2012 (Apps: 37 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 2)
Joe Cole was the creative soul of Chelsea’s first dominant era under Roman Abramovich.
Signed from his boyhood club West Ham United, Cole possessed rare flair and street-footballer tricks, winning three Premier League titles under José Mourinho.
In 2010, after his contract at Chelsea expired, he made a free transfer to Liverpool. Handed the legendary number 10 shirt, his time at Anfield was unfortunately plagued by an early red card, persistent fitness issues, and a loan spell in France with Lille OSC.
Despite not reaching his peak in Red, Cole remains highly respected for his pure footballing ability.
7. Glen Johnson
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Chelsea: 2003-2007 (Apps: 55 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 3) | Liverpool: 2009-2014 (Apps: 188 | Goals: 8 | Assists: 11)
Glen Johnson was a pioneer of the modern, attacking fullback role. He was actually Roman Abramovich’s first-ever signing at Chelsea, arriving from West Ham United, and won a league title in 2005. However, after struggling for consistent minutes, he moved to Portsmouth, where he completely revitalized his career and won the FA Cup.
This spectacular form prompted Liverpool to sign him for £17.5 million in 2009. Johnson spent five years as the undisputed starting right-back at Anfield, providing a reliable attacking outlet and defensive stability during a transitional period for the Merseyside club.
8. Yossi Benayoun
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Liverpool: 2007-2009 (Apps: 120 | Goals: 25 | Assists: 18) | Chelsea: 2010-2012 (Apps: 20 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0)
Yossi Benayoun was a “big-game player” who earned a special place in Liverpool history. Signed from West Ham United, the Israeli playmaker was a master of tight spaces and tactical intelligence, making him a favorite of Rafa Benítez – most notably scoring a winning header against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
He moved directly to Chelsea in 2010 for £5.5 million. Sadly, his time in London was decimated by a ruptured Achilles tendon. He spent time out on loan at Arsenal and back at West Ham.
9. Raul Meireles
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Liverpool: 2010-2011 (Apps: 42 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 7) | Chelsea: 2011-2012 (Apps: 42 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 4)
Raul Meireles had a brief but highly impactful career in England, remarkably making exactly 42 appearances for both clubs.
Arriving at Liverpool from FC Porto, he won the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award after scoring several stunning goals during a brilliant breakout season.
In a surprise deadline-day move, he joined Chelsea directly in 2011. His single season in London was defined by success, playing a crucial midfield role in the Champions League and FA Cup double-winning campaign before moving on to Fenerbahçe in Turkey.
10. Boudewijn Zenden
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Chelsea: 2001-2002 (Apps: 47 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 7) | Liverpool: 2005-2006 (Apps: 37 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2)
“Bolo” Zenden was the quintessential professional, valued by managers for his tactical discipline and versatility.
He arrived at Chelsea from FC Barcelona, providing a steady presence on the wing. After a successful stint in the North East with Middlesbrough (where he won the League Cup), he joined Liverpool under Benítez. His vast European experience helped the club reach the 2007 Champions League final.
Zenden’s ability to adapt to multiple positions made him a vital squad member during Liverpool’s competitive European runs before he departed for Marseille.
11. Dominic Solanke
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Chelsea: 2014-2016 (Apps: 6 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0) | Liverpool: 2017-2018 (Apps: 31 | Goals: 4 | Assists: 1)
Dominic Solanke was a prolific youth striker at Chelsea but faced the typical roadblock of breaking into a first team packed with global stars.
After a successful loan spell in the Netherlands with Vitesse Arnhem, he moved to Liverpool in 2017 to play under Jurgen Klopp. While he gained significant senior experience at Anfield, the intense competition from Salah, Mané, and Firmino made regular starts difficult.
He was eventually sold to AFC Bournemouth, where he finally fulfilled his immense potential.
12. Victor Moses
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Chelsea: 2012-2018 (Apps: 118 | Goals: 14 | Assists: 6) | Liverpool: 2013 (Apps: 19 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0)
Signed by Chelsea from Wigan Athletic, Victor Moses spent several seasons caught in the loan system. One of those prominent loans was to Liverpool during the thrilling 2013-2014 title-contending season.
While his impact at Anfield was modest as a rotational winger, it was his eventual return to Chelsea that defined his career.
Under Antonio Conte, Moses was miraculously reinvented as a reliable right wing-back, becoming an indispensable starter in Chelsea’s 2016-2017 Premier League title win before later playing for clubs like Inter Milan and Spartak Moscow.
13. Fabio Borini
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Chelsea: 2009 (Apps: 5 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0) | Liverpool: 2012-2014 (Apps: 33 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2)
Fabio Borini moved to England to join the Chelsea academy, making a handful of senior appearances.
After a brilliant loan spell at Swansea City and a successful permanent move to AS Roma in Italy, he was brought back to England as the first signing of the Brendan Rodgers era at Liverpool.
Known for his high-energy pressing and his “knife-between-teeth” goal celebration, Borini was a dedicated professional. Though he eventually moved on to Sunderland, his work rate always earned him respect from the supporters.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which transfer caused the biggest uproar between Liverpool and Chelsea fans?
A: Fernando Torres in January 2011. Going from being Liverpool’s undisputed idol to forcing a move to Chelsea for a then-British record £50 million left the Anfield faithful absolutely stunned.
Q: Who is the absolute statistical king of the Liverpool-Chelsea crossovers?
A: Mohamed Salah. The contrast is almost unbelievable: his early career at Chelsea yielded just 2 goals in 18 appearances. Fast forward to his Liverpool era, and he has produced a jaw-dropping attacking output.
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