The list of players who played for both Liverpool and Atlético Madrid is short, but it contains some remarkable names, featuring Fernando Torres and Luis Suárez.
Diogo Jota also belonged to both clubs during his career. However, he appears as an honourable mention because he never made an official first-team appearance for Atlético Madrid.
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- Players Who Played for Both Chelsea and Manchester City
- Players Who Played for Both Manchester City and Barcelona
Liverpool and Atlético Madrid Players: Career Stats
| Player | Liverpool period | Apps | Goals | Atlético Madrid period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Torres | 2007–2011 | 142 | 81 | 2001–2007, 2015–2018 | 404 | 129 |
| Luis Suárez | 2011–2014 | 133 | 82 | 2020–2022 | 83 | 34 |
| Luis García | 2004–2007 | 121 | 30 | 2002–2003, 2007–2009 | 106 | 16 |
| Maxi Rodríguez | 2010–2012 | 73 | 17 | 2005–2010 | 158 | 45 |
| Florent Sinama-Pongolle | 2003–2006 | 66 | 9 | 2008–2010 | 58 | 7 |
| Emiliano Insúa | 2007–2010 | 62 | 1 | 2013–2014 | 17 | 0 |
| Javier Manquillo | 2014–2015 | 19 | 0 | 2011–2014 | 17 | 0 |
Figures cover senior competitive matches in all official competitions. Some statistical databases may differ by one appearance depending on how particular fixtures are classified.
1. Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres is the player most closely associated with both clubs. The striker emerged from Atlético Madrid’s academy, made his senior debut at 17 and became captain while still in his early twenties.
Liverpool signed Torres in 2007, and he immediately became one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards. His pace, direct running and partnership with Steven Gerrard produced 33 goals in all competitions during his first season.
Torres finished his Liverpool career with 81 goals in 142 appearances. Injuries interrupted his later seasons, but his record ensured that he remained one of the defining Liverpool strikers of his generation.
After spells with Chelsea and AC Milan, Torres returned to Atlético Madrid in 2015. He eventually reached 404 competitive appearances and 129 goals for his boyhood club, ending his second spell by helping Atlético win the 2017/18 Europa League.
2. Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez scored one more goal for Liverpool than Torres, despite playing nine fewer matches. The Uruguayan arrived from Ajax in January 2011 and developed into a complete centre-forward capable of creating and finishing chances from almost anywhere.
His finest campaign came in 2013/14. Suárez scored 31 Premier League goals without taking a penalty and won both the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
After six seasons with Barcelona, Suárez joined Atlético Madrid in 2020. He scored 21 league goals in his first season, including the decisive goal on the final day, as Diego Simeone’s side won the 2020/21 La Liga title.
He left Atlético with 34 goals in 83 appearances—another short but highly productive chapter in an extraordinary career.
3. Luis García
Luis García represented Atlético Madrid twice, with his most memorable years coming between those spells at Liverpool.
Rafael Benítez brought the Spanish attacker to Anfield in 2004. García quickly developed a reputation for producing important goals, particularly during Liverpool’s remarkable run to the 2005 Champions League title.
He scored against Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus before registering the controversial semi-final winner against Chelsea—the goal that José Mourinho famously labelled a “ghost goal”.
García scored 30 times for Liverpool, including ten goals in the Champions League. He returned to Atlético Madrid in 2007, while Torres moved in the opposite direction, although the two transfers were separate deals.
4. Maxi Rodríguez
Maxi Rodríguez spent five years with Atlético Madrid after arriving from Espanyol in 2005. A versatile attacking midfielder, he scored 45 goals in 158 competitive appearances for the Spanish club.
Liverpool supporters had already seen him at Anfield before he joined the Reds. Rodríguez scored for Atlético during a Champions League group match against Liverpool in 2008.
He moved to Merseyside on a free transfer in January 2010. His most memorable period came near the end of the 2010/11 season, when he recorded hat-tricks against Birmingham City and Fulham within just 16 days.
Rodríguez left Liverpool in 2012 after making 73 appearances, scoring 17 goals and winning the League Cup.
5. Florent Sinama-Pongolle
Florent Sinama-Pongolle joined Liverpool as one of France’s most highly rated young players. He struggled to secure a permanent starting position but still contributed to several memorable moments.
His most important Liverpool goal came against Olympiacos in the Champions League in December 2004. Introduced at half-time, Sinama-Pongolle scored within minutes and helped begin the comeback that kept Liverpool’s European campaign alive.
An injury prevented him from taking part in the latter stages of the competition, including the final in Istanbul. He left permanently in 2006 after 66 competitive appearances and nine goals.
Sinama-Pongolle joined Atlético Madrid in 2008. Competing with Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán limited his opportunities, but he still scored seven times in 58 appearances.
6. Emiliano Insúa
Emiliano Insúa initially joined Liverpool from Boca Juniors before the transfer became permanent. The Argentine left-back was used sparingly at first but became a regular during the 2009/10 season.
He made 44 appearances that campaign and scored his only Liverpool goal with an impressive long-range strike against Arsenal in the League Cup.
Insúa later represented Galatasaray and Sporting CP before joining Atlético Madrid in January 2013. With Filipe Luís established as Diego Simeone’s first-choice left-back, his playing time remained limited.
He was nevertheless part of the Atlético squad that won La Liga and reached the Champions League final during the 2013/14 season.
7. Javier Manquillo
Javier Manquillo came through Atlético Madrid’s academy and made 17 first-team appearances before joining Liverpool on loan in August 2014.
The agreement was originally intended to cover two seasons, but Manquillo returned to Atlético after only one year. He played 19 times for Liverpool, including four appearances during the club’s 2014/15 Champions League campaign.
The right-back later gained considerably more Premier League experience with Sunderland and Newcastle United. Although his Liverpool spell was brief, his competitive appearances for both sides make him the seventh male player on this list.
Honourable Mention: Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota was officially registered with both Liverpool and Atlético Madrid, but he never played a competitive first-team match for the Spanish club.
Atlético signed the Portuguese forward from Paços de Ferreira in 2016. After appearing during pre-season, he joined Porto on loan and later moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers without making an official appearance for Atlético.
Liverpool signed Jota in 2020. He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances and helped the club win the Premier League, FA Cup and two League Cups.
Jota and his brother, André Silva, tragically died in July 2025. Liverpool subsequently retired the number 20 shirt in his honour. Although he does not qualify for the main list, his connection with both clubs deserves to be acknowledged.
Forever our number 20 ❤️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many players have played for Liverpool and Atlético Madrid?
A: Seven male players have made senior competitive appearances for both Liverpool and Atlético Madrid: Fernando Torres, Luis Suárez, Luis García, Maxi Rodríguez, Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Emiliano Insúa and Javier Manquillo.
Q: Did Diogo Jota play for Atlético Madrid?
A: Diogo Jota was an Atlético Madrid player, but he never made an official first-team appearance for the club. He therefore does not qualify for the main list.
Q: Who scored the most goals for Liverpool among these players?
A: Luis Suárez scored the most Liverpool goals, recording 82 in 133 competitive appearances. Fernando Torres follows with 81 goals in 142 appearances.
Q: Who made the most Atlético Madrid appearances?
A: Fernando Torres leads the list with 404 competitive appearances for Atlético Madrid across his two spells with the club.
Q: Did Fernando Torres transfer directly from Atlético Madrid to Liverpool?
A: Yes. Liverpool signed Torres directly from Atlético Madrid in 2007. Luis García moved from Liverpool to Atlético during the same transfer window, although the moves were treated as separate deals.
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