From Sterling to Milner, discover the complete list of 16 players who played for both Liverpool and Man City.
In the modern Premier League era, the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City has defined English football. From fierce title races to tactical battles between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, these two northern giants rarely see eye to eye.
However, over the years, several players have crossed the divide, donning both the famous red of Liverpool and the sky blue of Manchester City. Some are legendary figures who won major honors at both clubs, while others had brief, forgettable stints.
Here is the complete list of 16 players who played for both Liverpool and Man City.
1. Nicolas Anelka
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Liverpool: 2001 (Apps: 20 | Goals: 4 | Assist: 2) | Manchester City: 2002-2004 (Apps: 93 | Goals: 40 | Assist: 11)
The French striker arrived at Anfield on a short-term loan from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in December 2001. While his goal return was modest – netting just 4 times in 20 appearances – he provided useful squad depth as Liverpool finished second in the Premier League.
However, manager Gérard Houllier controversially opted not to sign him permanently in the summer, famously choosing to buy El Hadji Diouf instead.
Following Liverpool’s rejection, Anelka swiftly joined a newly promoted Manchester City in 2002 for a then-club-record fee. He quickly became their talisman, finishing as the club’s top scorer in two consecutive seasons and proving his undeniable goalscoring pedigree in English football.
Image: Getty Images
2. Mario Balotelli
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Liverpool: 2014 (Apps: 28 | Goals: 4 | Assist: 0) | Manchester City: 2010-2012 (Apps: 69 | Goals: 26 | Assist: 2)
“Why always me?”
Balotelli’s time at Manchester City was pure box office. He won the Premier League and the FA Cup, famously providing the crucial assist for Sergio Aguero’s iconic title-winning goal against QPR in 2012.
His move to Liverpool, however, was a costly disaster. Brendan Rodgers signed him permanently from AC Milan for £16 million in the summer of 2014 as a panic replacement for the departing Luis Suárez.
Balotelli looked entirely out of place in Liverpool’s high-pressing system, managing just one Premier League goal. His spell was so underwhelming that Liverpool shipped him back to AC Milan on loan just one year later, before eventually letting him leave for free.
3. Craig Bellamy
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Liverpool: 2006-2011 (Apps: 64 | Goals: 14 | Assist: 8) | Manchester City: 2008-2009 (Apps: 43 | Goals: 15 | Assist: 8)
The fiery Welsh forward actually had two separate spells at Anfield. During his first stint, he famously scored against Barcelona at the Camp Nou just days after an infamous golf club altercation with teammate John Arne Riise. He later returned under Kenny Dalglish to help Liverpool win the 2012 League Cup.
Between those spells, Bellamy moved to Manchester City right at the dawn of their wealthy new ownership era, providing crucial goals and high energy before the club began signing global megastars.
4. Scott Carson
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Liverpool: 2004 (Apps: 5 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 0) | Manchester City: 2019-2024 (Apps: 2 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 0)
Scott Carson is the ultimate trivia answer. He was part of Liverpool’s miraculous 2005 Champions League winning squad as a young backup goalkeeper.
Over a decade later, he joined Manchester City, becoming a beloved dressing room figure and adding multiple Premier League titles and another Champions League medal to his incredible CV despite barely stepping on the pitch.
5. Nigel Clough
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Liverpool: 1993-1995 (Apps: 39 | Goals: 7 | Assist: 3) | Manchester City: 1995-1998 (Apps: 38 | Goals: 4 | Assist: 3)
Arriving at Anfield with the heavy burden of being Brian Clough’s son, Nigel started brightly but soon fell down the pecking order behind the emerging Robbie Fowler.
He later transferred to Manchester City, where he unfortunately experienced the club’s dark days, suffering relegation from the top flight.
6. Robbie Fowler
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Liverpool: 1993-2006 (Apps: 300 | Goals: 134 | Assist: 30) | Manchester City: 2002-2005 (Apps: 83 | Goals: 22 | Assist: 6)
Known simply as “God” by the Anfield faithful, Robbie Fowler is one of the most natural finishers in Premier League history. He terrorized defenses for Liverpool in the 1990s, winning a cup treble in 2001.
He controversially left for Leeds United before finding his way to Manchester City. While injuries hampered his time in Manchester, he still showed flashes of his old brilliance before making a highly emotional, fairy-tale return to Liverpool in 2006.
7. Dietmar Hamann
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Liverpool: 1999-2005 (Apps: 243 | Goals: 10 | Assist: 22) | Manchester City: 2006-2008 (Apps: 59 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 1)
A true Liverpool legend, “Didi” Hamann was the midfield anchor for the Reds during the early 2000s. His introduction at half-time during the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul completely changed the game, leading to Liverpool’s historic comeback.
He spent the twilight of his career at Manchester City.
8. David James
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Liverpool: 1992-1998 (Apps: 227 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 2) | Manchester City: 2003-2005 (Apps: 93 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 0)
David James spent seven years as Liverpool’s number one during the 1990s, winning the League Cup.
Later in his career, he enjoyed a solid spell at Manchester City, though he is best remembered there for Stuart Pearce’s bizarre decision to play him as a striker in the final game of the 2004-2005 season.
9. Mark Kennedy
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Liverpool: 1994-1997 (Apps: 17 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 2) | Manchester City: 1999-2000 (Apps: 66 | Goals: 8 | Assist: 4)
Signed by Liverpool as an teenager from Millwall, Kennedy struggled to cement a regular starting spot. He later found success at Manchester City, playing a key role in helping the club achieve promotion back to the Premier League in 2000.
10. Steve McMahon
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Liverpool: 1991 (Apps: 5 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 0) | Manchester City: 1992-1994 (Apps: 69 | Goals: 1 | Assist: 4)
Steve McMahon was famously Kenny Dalglish’s first-ever signing as Liverpool manager in 1985 and went on to become a defining figure for the club in the late 1980s. A fiercely competitive, tough-tackling, and highly energetic midfielder, he made nearly 300 appearances across all competitions, scoring 50 goals. He was a driving force behind Liverpool winning three First Division titles and two FA Cups during his prime.
After a highly successful era at Anfield, McMahon was sold to Manchester City on Christmas Eve in 1991 for £900,000. At City, he brought his veteran leadership and aggressive style to Peter Reid’s midfield, playing regularly during the final days of the old First Division and the very dawn of the modern Premier League era.
11. Steve McManaman
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Liverpool: 1991-1998 (Apps: 259 | Goals: 44 | Assist: 59) | Manchester City: 2003-2004 (Apps: 39 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 1)
One of the most naturally gifted dribblers of his generation, McManaman was the creative heartbeat of Liverpool in the 1990s. After a highly successful, trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid, he returned to England to finish his playing days at Manchester City, linking up with his old friend Robbie Fowler.
12. James Milner
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Liverpool: 2015-2022 (Apps: 330 | Goals: 26 | Assist: 46) | Manchester City: 2010-2014 (Apps: 178 | Goals: 17 | Assist: 29)
James Milner is the ultimate professional and a legend for both clubs. At Manchester City, his relentless work rate helped the club win their first two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.
He joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2015 and became a foundational pillar of Jurgen Klopp’s revolution. Playing everywhere from central midfield to left-back, Milner won every major honor available at Anfield, including the Premier League and Champions League.
13. Albert Riera
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Liverpool: 2008-2009 (Apps: 52 | Goals: 4 | Assist: 7) | Manchester City: 2005 (Apps: 15 | Goals: 1 | Assist: 0)
Riera had a brief and relatively quiet loan spell at Manchester City in 2005. A few years later, Rafa Benitez brought the Spanish winger to Liverpool. He enjoyed a solid debut season on the left flank during Liverpool’s strong 2008-2009 title push before falling out with the manager and leaving the club.
14. Raheem Sterling
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Liverpool: 2011-2014 (Apps: 119 | Goals: 22 | Assist: 16) | Manchester City: 2015-2021 (Apps: 338 | Goals: 131 | Assist: 74)
Raheem Sterling’s journey is one of the most high-profile inter-club transfers in history.
Breaking through as a brilliant teenager at Liverpool, he formed a devastating attacking trio with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
Following a bitter contract dispute, he forced a £49 million move to Manchester City. Under Pep Guardiola, Sterling elevated his game to a world-class level, scoring over 100 goals and winning four Premier League titles, establishing himself as one of City’s modern greats.
15. Daniel Sturridge
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Liverpool: 2012-2018 (Apps: 154 | Goals: 63 | Assist: 20) | Manchester City: 2006-2008 (Apps: 26 | Goals: 5 | Assist: 3)
An academy graduate at Manchester City, Sturridge showed early glimpses of his immense talent before eventually leaving for Chelsea in search of regular football. However, it was at Liverpool where he reached his absolute peak – albeit very briefly.
During the unforgettable 2013-2014 season, Sturridge was the most lethal English striker in the world, scoring 21 league goals and forming the terrifying “SAS” partnership with Luis Suárez.
Unfortunately, that one spectacular campaign was the exception rather than the rule. The rest of his Liverpool career was tragically ravaged by constant, recurring injuries. These physical setbacks severely limited his playing time year after year, preventing him from ever sustaining that world-class level again.
16. Kolo Touré
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Liverpool: 2013-2015 (Apps: 67 | Goals: 1 | Assist: 2) | Manchester City: 2009-2012 (Apps: 89 | Goals: 2 | Assist: 0)
After leaving Arsenal, the veteran Ivorian defender helped guide a newly rich Manchester City to their dramatic 2012 Premier League title. He later joined Liverpool on a free transfer, providing vital experience and becoming a massive cult hero among the Anfield fanbase during his three-year stay.
FAQ: Players Who Played for Both Liverpool and Manchester City
Q: Who is the most successful player to play for both Liverpool and Man City?
A: James Milner. He won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup with Manchester City, before moving to Liverpool where he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Club World Cup.
Q: Which player played for both clubs and won the Champions League with Liverpool?
A: Both Dietmar Hamann and Scott Carson were part of the Liverpool squad that won the Champions League in 2005. James Milner also won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2019.
Q: Which player on this list had major success with Liverpool before the Premier League era?
A: Steve McMahon is a prime example. He signed for Liverpool in 1985 and was a dominant force in the old First Division, winning three league titles and two FA Cups with the Reds. He transferred to Manchester City in late 1991, just months before the modern Premier League was officially formed in 1992.
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