Very few players enjoyed the luxury of playing for two of the biggest clubs in the world: Liverpool and Real Madrid.
The two European giants have rarely done business with each other over the years, but there have been very publicized relationships, the most catchy professions having seen Liverpool Stars exchange Anfield for the flesh of Santiago Bernabeu.
Once arrived in the Spanish capital, these pioneers have experienced various degrees of success, with several legendary sacrificing statutes in Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold, be careful.
Here are the five players who left Liverpool for Madrid and how everyone is doing it.
Steve McManaman was the first to directly follow the path between Liverpool and Madrid. After crossing the Merseyside Academy, the local boy spent nine years with the Reds in a relatively limited period of success. He only claimed the FA Cup and the League Cup in almost a decade.
Eager to strengthen his trophy cabinet, McManaman went to Madrid in 1999 and despite the trouble finding his feet with Los Blancos, he quickly became a cult hero among the supporters. He won the liga twice and two other titles of the Champions League, establishing an impressive relationship with Roberto Carlos on the left side.
The arrival of David Beckham in 2003 pushed McManaman in the hierarchical order, however, and the winger, having made 158 appearances for the Spanish giants, finally returned to England with Manchester City.
Michael Owen’s rapid ascent under the spotlight saw Liverpool supporters quickly fell in love with their academy star, who was a relentless scorer for the Reds from an early age. The heroism in the FA CUP 2000/01 final was one of the many strengths, but the attacker quickly reversed his heritage in Anfield.
Owen followed the path followed by McManaman in 2004 during the signing of Madrid but lasted only one season in the Spanish capital. Despite an impressive return of goals – 16 in 45 outings – The competition for places saw Owen return to the Premier League at the start of the 2005/06 campaign with Newcastle United.
Owen had already burned bridges when he left Anfield, but continued to open the relationship more by joining the Arc de Liverpool, Manchester United, in 2009.
Jerzy Dudek remains an icon in Liverpool’s folklore for its amazing display in the 2005 Champions League final when the Reds came from three goals to beat AC Milan during penalties in Istanbul. The heroism of the Polish international shooting and a particularly extraordinary double backup of Andriy Shevchenko engraved his name in history books.
After making 186 appearances with Liverpool, Dudek moved to Madrid at the age of 34, but was never in doubt for Iker Casillas. He only managed 12 outings in white for four years before retiring in 2011.
Alvaro Arbeloa had unfinished affairs with Madrid. The right rear made two senior appearances for Los Blancos after spending five years in the configuration of the academy, but was finally forced to seek football in the first team elsewhere. Liverpool signed Spanish in 2007 after a brief passage with Deportivo la Coruna.
Arbeloa impressed during his charm in Anfield and Madrid came to call their former defender in 2009, just two years after Liverpool recruited him. The call was too strong to be ignored when he returned to Bernabeu, becoming a crucial element of the defense of Los Blancos.
He made 238 appearances in total for the Spanish titans and won the Champions League twice, although he slipped to the outskirts towards the end of his second fate with Madrid.
Xabi Alonso has retained the legendary status in each club for which he played was the grace and effort of the former midfielder, with Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Madrid and Bayern Munich, the supporters adoring all the Spaniards.
Anfield is where Alonso has established itself as a truly elite midfielder, immediately helping to guide the Reds to the title of Champions League in his first season. The FA Cup followed the following year and he was an integral part while Liverpool approached more European glory in 2006/07, as well as a first first League title in his last season with the club.
Alonso moved to Madrid in 2009 and offered generally consistent and elegant performance in the machine room. The silky Spaniard won five trophies with the club, including the Liga and the Champions League, before moving to Bayern Munich in 2014.
Now coach of Bayer Leverkusen and guiding them to new heights, he could well direct Liverpool and Madrid during his management career.
