Real Madrid, the juggernaut of La Liga, and Liverpool, the heavyweights of the Premier League, will meet in the Champions League final in Paris on Saturday (May 28). Both sides have big-name players who can change the game in an instant. The two sets of players will give it their best on the Parisian pitch this weekend in the hopes of making history.This list, on the other hand, has nothing to do with the impending show at the Stade de France. We'll be looking at a few football players that could have a hard time picking a preferred team come Saturday. Let's take a look at the five best players who have ever played for both Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Fernando Morientes, #5
In 1997, Fernando Morientes joined Real Madrid as a free agent from Real Zaragoza. Raul, on the other hand, had a difficult time breaking into the team due to his riotous attacks. His efforts eventually paid off, as he rose to become one of the squad's most vital members.
In his first season with the Whites, he won the Champions League. In 2000 and 2002, he won the cup for the second time. In the 1999-2000 Champions League final versus Valencia, he scored the game-winning goal (3-0 win). Morientes also won La Liga twice with Real Madrid before joining Liverpool permanently in January 2005 after a loan spell with Monaco.
Morientes' time in England did not prove to be as profitable as his time in Spain. He only appeared in 61 games for Liverpool and scored 12 goals. In his first season, he watched the Reds win the Champions League in Istanbul from the stands (ineligible; cup-tied). The following season (2005-06), he won the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup before being traded to Valencia in the summer of 2006.
Fabinho, No. 4
Fabinho, a Liverpool midfielder, is now one of the top defensive midfielders in the world. He is a terrific ball distributor who clears threatening deliveries from hazardous locations and can score when needed.
Fabinho has won a Champions League trophy, a Premier League title, and an FA Cup since joining Liverpool from Monaco in 2018. Given how well the Brazilian has played in recent seasons, almost no team in the world would think twice about signing him.
However, things were not so rosy for the midfielder a decade ago. He spent a season on loan at Real Madrid Castilla (from Rio Ave in Portugal) and made no impression. In the 2012-13 season, he only made one appearance for the Madrid senior team, providing an assist in a 14-minute cameo. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't enough to secure a permanent transfer to Madrid.
Steve McManaman, No. 3
Steve McManaman graduated from Liverpool's youth and made his senior squad debut in December 1990, under famous boss Kenny Dalglish. Because of his technical ability and high work rate, the winger rapidly gained attention.
McManaman established himself as a valuable component of the club in his first full season, scoring 11 goals and adding nine assists in 51 appearances. With the Reds, he won the FA Cup at the end of the season (1991-92).
McManaman put in some outstanding performances for the Reds during the next seven years. With the exception of one League Cup, he did not win any silverware with them (1994-95).
McManaman joined Real Madrid as a free agent in 1999, and in his first season, he won the biggest award of all: the Champions League. Most importantly, he scored in the infamous 3-0 victory over Valencia.
He won La Liga the next season (2000-01) as a key player of the club before winning the Champions League for the second time in 2001-02. In 2002-03, the winger won another La Liga title before returning to the Premier League as a free agent to join Manchester City.
Michael Owen, No. 2
Michael Owen, a standout student at Liverpool's prestigious youth system, made his first-team debut when he was only 17 years old, in May 1997. He scored in his debut match against Wimbledon, but was unable to complete the comeback.
Owen won the Premier League Golden Boot the next season (18 goals). He was also named the PFA Young Player of the Year for his outstanding performance. He had a hamstring injury the following season, but still managed to add another Golden Boot (18 goals) to his collection.
Owen helped Liverpool win the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and UEFA Cup treble in the 2000-01 season, scoring 23 goals and providing eight assists. Owen was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 2001 for his outstanding achievement.
Owen, the Reds' top scorer every season since 1998 (158 goals), departed the club in 2004 to join Real Madrid. Owen struggled to establish himself in the Spanish city, spending much of his time on the bench. Before joining Premier League team Newcastle United, the Englishman made only 26 starts in his single season in Madrid, scoring 16 goals.
Xabi Alonso is the best player in the world.
Xabi Alonso is the most successful player to have played for both Real Madrid and Liverpool. He is the epitome of class, quality, and charisma. During his four years with Real Sociedad in La Liga, Alonso made headlines for the first time (2000-2004).
Incredibly accurate passes were sprayed in all directions by the midfield master. He expertly guarded the ball and made few defensive blunders. Liverpool snapped him up in the summer of 2004 after being impressed by his profile.
In his first season, Alonso established himself as a key member of Rafael Benitez's squad, appearing in 32 games across all competitions. Of course, his most memorable performance came in the 2004-05 Champions League final against AC Milan. The Spaniard netted the equalizer to send the game to extra time, where Liverpool eventually won on penalties.
Alonso left Liverpool for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 after four more excellent seasons at Anfield. In the Spanish capital, the defensive midfielder played as a deep-lying playmaker and was one of the best in his position. Before joining Bundesliga club Bayern Munich in 2014, he helped the Whites win the La Liga and Champions League (La Decima).
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