Trent Alexander-Arnold and the 10 other stars who have played for Liverpool and Real Madrid

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A look at the players who have played for both Liverpool and Real Madrid ahead of tonight's massive Champions League match at AnfieldWith Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to Liverpool for the first time tonight in the white of Real Madrid, it makes for an intriguing sub-plot to the big Champions League clash. All eyes will be on the new Los Blancos man and how he fares in what is set to be a red-hot atmosphere at Anfield.But Trent Alexander-Arnold is not the first player to make the move from Merseyside and Madrid.Nor he is the first player to have played for both clubs during their careers.

In fact, there are 10 others, as we examine here...READ MORE: Arne Slot dismisses Florian Wirtz 'excuse' as honest verdict shared on Liverpool strugglesMichael OwenArguably the most high-profile player to make the move between the clubs is former academy star Michael Owen.The Englishman was the one of the country's brightest sparks during the late 1990s and early 2000s, winning the Premier League Golden boot twice by the age of 19 and to this day, still being the only Liverpool player to win the Ballon d’Or, after beating Real Madrid star Raul in 2001.When the Spaniards came calling in 2004 the Chester-born striker was tempted, eventually leaving that summer in search of European glory.Unfortunately for Owen it didn’t work out, with injuries being a large barrier, whilst also competing with the great Raul and Ronaldo for forward positions.He only played 45 appearances at his time in the Spanish capital, scoring 16 goals.Owen then came back to England, but after spells at Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, he retired at the age of 33 in 2013.FabinhoKnown much more for his time on Merseyside, Fabinho did actually spend a short spell on the Spanish shores whilst on loan from Portuguese side Rio Ave in the 2012/13 season.He only made one senior appearance for Real Madrid and following a five-year stay at Monaco, he was eventually signed to Liverpool in 2018 after an impressive time in France.During his time under Jurgen Klopp, the Brazilian played an important role in winning the Champions League and Premier League in a successful five seasons on the Kop.Fabinho left Liverpool in the summer of 2023, joining Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.Steve McManamanIn similar ways to Alexander Arnold, Steve McManaman also made the enticing move to Madrid, though only after winning the FA Cup and EFL Cup with the Reds.The Scouser’s switch paid off much more than Owen’s in later years, as the exciting winger brought back two Champions Leagues and two La Ligas, before he moved home to England in 2003.After four years in Spain, McManaman joined Manchester City for two years before retiring in 2005.Fernando MorientesIn an eight-year period at Real, Fernando Morientes scored 100 goals in 272 appearances, whilst also winning La Liga twice and the Champions League three times.After an extremely successful period in his home country, the striker signed for Liverpool, but despite his form in Spain, his performances weren’t replicated in England, with only 12 goals to his name during his 61 appearances on Merseyside.After the two-season stint on the Kop, the Spaniard returned home, this time to Valencia, before moving to Marseille in 2009.Antonio NunezWithin the years of 2003 and 2005, Antonio Nunez had completed his spells at both Real Madrid and Liverpool.The Spaniard only played one season for both sides and he didn’t set the world alight for either.After being involved in the deal between the two clubs for Owen, Nunez made the move to Anfield, where he was a semi-regular, whilst being part of the 2005 Champions League-winning squad.His only goal came in the EFL Cup final against Chelsea, where Rafa Benitez’s side lost 3-2.He is the only player in Liverpool’s history to score their only goal in a cup final and after spending time in Cyprus and back in Spain, he retired from football in 2018.Alvaro ArbeloaThe Spanish full-back started his career in the youth ranks at Real Madrid, moving to Liverpool n the 2006-07 season following a brief period at Deportivo La Coruna.During his time with the Reds the dependable defender would be a Premier league and Champions League runner-up, whilst getting the feeling of winning through Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph.Arbeloa returned to Real in 2009, which rewarded him with two Champions League titles, a La Liga and a Super Cup whilst playing for the club he grew up with.He ended his career with a short swansong at West Ham before retiring in the summer of 2017.Xabi AlonsoOne player that certainly delivered for both clubs was silky midfielder Xabi Alonso.Alonso was an integral part of Liverpool’s famous Champions League win in Istanbul, scoring the equaliser from the penalty spot to make the game 3-3, so it was no surprise that the Kopites were gutted when they learnt of his departure.The Spaniard won a great haul of trophies whilst at Real Madrid, including the Champions League and La Liga, before making another big move, this time to German giants Bayern Munich.Under the management of Pep Guardiola, the Alonso won three Bundesliga titles in three seasons, whilst being an important part of current Manchester City manager's midfield due to his immense vision and ability to read the game.After retirement Alonso got into the management game, starting off at youth level with Real Madrid before famously taking Bayer Leverkusen to Bundesliga glory.Now Alonso is back with Madrid but this time as manager of the first team.Jerzy DudekThe Polish goalkeeper spent the last four years of his career in Spain, playing as back-up to Iker Casillas, but it was his time at Liverpool that has made him such an iconic shot-stopper.Dudek moved to Merseyside in 2001, spending six years at the club after his move from Dutch club Feyenoord.During his time at Liverpool, he won the FA Cup and EFL Cup, but it is the Champions League heroics that will forever stick in the minds of the Reds faithful.The final in 2005 will always be legendary, especially due to Dudek’s incredible close-range double save from AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko and the stops made in the penalty shootout.Nicolas AnelkaAfter making the £22 million move from Arsenal to Real Madrid, French attacker Nicolas Anelka failed to make his mark on La Liga.He then moved to French giants PSG before he was sent out on loan to Liverpool in the second half of the 2001/02 season, where he scored five goals in 20 appearances.This tally wasn’t enough to convince manager Gerard Houllier to keep him, though he did return to England via a move to Manchester City where the Frenchman was arguably at his best.He retired in 2016 after spells at Juventus, West Brom and Bolton, but his most successful club was Chelsea, where he won two FA Cups and a Premier League.Nuri SahinWhen the Turkish midfielder made the move to Real Madrid in 2011 it was seen as one of the most exciting transfers of the window, after being Bundesliga Player of the Season the campaign before.Due to injury, Sahin only played 12 times for the Spanish side, before moving to Liverpool on a five-month loan the following season, where he also on played 12 matches.He returned to Dortmund between 2014 and 2018 where he played was much more impactful, before eventually retiring sat Antalyaspor in Turkey.