Soccer analysis: Players who played for Liverpool AND Real Madrid amid Trent Alexander-Arnold move

Trent Alexander-Arnold announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season after reportedly signing a five-year deal at Real Madrid.

Speaking via his social media channels, the 26-year-old said it was the “hardest decision” of his life and is ready for a “new challenge”.

The Englishman’s deal at the Santiago Bernabéu is expected to officially run from June.

With that in mind, Transfer News Blitz’s Edward Moss has looked at the players who have also represented the Reds and Los Blancos during their playing careers.

Xabi Alonso

210 Liverpool appearances, 236 Real Madrid appearances

After scoring the equaliser on THAT night in Istanbul, Xabi Alonso unwittingly wrote himself into Liverpool folklore.

Not known for scoring tonnes of goals or leg-breaking tackles, the Spaniard did the simple things beautifully and was an important player during his time on Merseyside and in Madrid.

Fondly remembered for his excellent passing range, Alonso held his own in a Spanish era dominated by the likes of Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets.

The midfielder won nine trophies at Liverpool and Real, including the Champions League with both clubs.

Currently in charge of Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, the now 43-year-old is expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Steve McManaman

364 Liverpool appearances, 158 Real Madrid appearances

Youngsters of today may know Steve McManaman for his mildly annoying commentary on TNT Sports, but the Englishman was, in fact, a cracking footballer back in his day. 

The former midfielder ran down his contract with the Reds to join Real Madrid in July 1999, prompting some Liverpool supporters to draw comparisons to Alexander-Arnold’s impending departure.

With blistering pace and tricky feet, McManaman ran fear down the spines of defenders in both England and Spain. 

Arguably his best moment was in the 2000 Champions League final, when the now 53-year-old produced a spectacular scissor kick as Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 at the Stade de France - seriously, look it up!

Fabinho

219 Liverpool appearances, 1 Real Madrid appearance

Debatably, Fabinho is a bit of a cop out, but he did make a solitary outing for Madrid at right-back under José Mourinho in a 6-2 thrashing of Málaga.

The Brazilian made 30 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla, effectively the club’s B team, so that makes his inclusion a bit more justified.

Obviously, the 31-year-old is a lot more well-known for his time on Merseyside, where he won six trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.

Signed for just £39million from AS Monaco in 2018 by Jürgen Klopp, it is safe to say that the Reds more than got their money’s worth.

After 219 appearances at Anfield, Fabinho joined Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad for £40million in 2023, where he has probably become a very, very rich man.

Michael Owen

297 Liverpool appearances, 45 Real Madrid appearances

Michael Owen was seemingly made of glass from 2006 onwards, but before that, he was one of the deadliest strikers in world football. 

Known for his painfully obvious comments on punditry and celebrating after scoring past a 13-year-old goalkeeper, Owen is also one of six British players to win the Ballon d’Or - I probably should have led with that.

All jokes aside, the now 45-year-old was THE wonderkid of his day, and bagged a whopping 158 goals for Liverpool, making him the ninth all-time top goal scorer in the club’s history.

Following a reported £8million move to Madrid, Owen only lasted 12 months in the Spanish capital before returning to the Premier League with Newcastle United.

Despite his overwhelming success at Anfield, a move to Manchester United later in his career tarnished the Englishman’s name on Merseyside.

Fernando Morientes

61 Liverpool appearances, 272 Real Madrid appearances

Although he scored 100 goals for Madrid, Fernando Morientes struggled to displace the likes of Ronaldo Nazário and Raúl towards the end of his spell at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The three-time Champions League winner subsequently joined Liverpool for roughly £6million in January 2005, a similar fee to what Everton paid for James Beattie in the same window.

While the Spaniard was a popular figure at Anfield, the Reds would have been hoping for more than 12 goals in 18 months.

Morientes struggled with the physicality and pace of the Premier League and swiftly moved back to Spain to join Valencia in 2006.

Jerzy Dudek

186 Liverpool appearances, 12 Real Madrid appearances

Another member of Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League-winning squad, Jerzy Dudek’s penalty shootout heroics in Istanbul secured his cult-hero status in Liverpool.

The Polish shot stopper joined the Reds from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2001, and enjoyed a brilliant first season at Anfield, as he kept 27 clean sheets in 49 appearances.

Following Liverpool’s Istanbul triumph, Rafa Benítez signed Pepe Reina from Villarreal, and in cut-throat fashion demoted Dudek to his second-choice goalkeeper.

After growing fed up at Anfield, the Pole traded Merseyside for Madrid in 2007, where he was utilised as a backup to World Cup winner Iker Casillas.

Although he only made a handful of appearances for Real, Dudek performed well when called upon, and similarly to in Liverpool, is well-respected to this day.

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