Top 10 players to play for both Newcastle and Liverpool

The players have played for both The Magpies and The Reds.

Over the years, these teams have had a past relationship, having played numerous memorable games in the Premier League. In addition, they have had a few managers in common, such as Kenny Dalglish and Rafa Benitez.

In recent times, Liverpool has been the team that has had an edge over Newcastle. However, this year, both clubs are vying for a place in the Top 4, making their upcoming match an exciting prospect. Currently, Newcastle sits in 4th position on the table, while Liverpool lags behind in 9th.

A number of players have featured for both Newcastle and Liverpool. Let’s look at the top 10 players who have played for both clubs.

10. Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool 2010-2013, Newcastle 2016-2023)

In May 2010, the midfielder became a Liverpool player, and he went on to make 47 appearances for the club and scored 2 goals. He was loaned out to Blackpool in 2011, but his time there was cut short after just 2 months due to injury problems. In 2013, he was sold by Liverpool to Swansea City.

Shelvey became a Newcastle player in 2016 after transferring from Swansea. Shelvey played a key role in helping Newcastle gain promotion to the Premier League in 2017. Throughout his seven-year stint with the Magpies, he made a total of 186 appearances and scored 16 goals. In 2023, he joined Nottingham Forest.

9. Jose Enrique (Newcastle 2007-2011, Liverpool 2011-2016)

Enrique joined Newcastle from Villarreal in 2007, the left-back played a total of 119 games and scored one goal. He was named the club's player of the season in 2010 and went on to appear in 36 Premier League matches during the 2010-2011 season. In 2011, he was transferred to Liverpool.

From 2011 to 2016, the player remained at Liverpool, winning the League Cup once during this time. He played in a total of 76 matches for the Reds and scored two goals. Unfortunately, the left-back didn't have the best of times during his stay at Liverpool. In 2016, he moved to Real Zaragoza, and the following year, he announced his retirement.

8. Andy Carroll (Newcastle 2006-2011, 2019-2021,  Liverpool 2011-2013)

The English striker was signed by Newcastle in 2006, where he played in 80 matches and scored 31 goals. In 2007, he was loaned to Preston during his Newcastle career. His impressive performances at Newcastle led him to be bought by Liverpool in 2011.

However, Carroll didn't have the best of times during his stint at Liverpool, making only 44 appearances and scoring 6 goals. Though, he did manage to win the League Cup during his time with the club.

In 2019, he made a return to Newcastle for the second time, but it proved to be disappointing as he only managed to score one goal in 37 matches.

7. John Barnes (Liverpool 1987-1997, Newcastle 1997-1999)

In 1987, John Barnes made a switch from Watford to Liverpool and went on to have an impressive career at the club, scoring 84 goals in 314 appearances and winning 8 trophies. After leaving Liverpool, Barnes was signed by Newcastle United in 1997, where he was reunited with former teammate and manager Kenny Dalglish.

Despite his success at Liverpool, Barnes struggled to replicate his previous form at Newcastle, managing only 6 goals in 27 matches during his two-year stint at the club.

6. Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle 2015-2016, Liverpool 2016-2021)

After moving from PSV Eindhoven, Georginio Wijnaldum started his English football journey at Newcastle in 2015. His debut season was impressive, as he scored 11 goals. However, it turned out to be his only season with the Magpies, as he made a switch to Liverpool in 2016.

During his five-year stay at Liverpool, Wijnaldum played in 179 matches and scored 16 goals. He played a key role in the team that won both the Premier League and the Champions League. He was particularly memorable in the Champions League semifinals against Barcelona, where he scored two goals after coming on as a substitute. In 2021, Wijnaldum joined Paris Saint-Germain.

5. Terry McDermott (Newcastle 1973-1974, 1982-1984, Liverpool 1974-1982)

Terry McDermott's football journey began when he joined Newcastle from Bury in 1973. In his single season with the Magpies, he played 56 games and scored six goals. However, McDermott's talents caught the attention of Liverpool, and he moved to Merseyside in 1974.

During his eight-year tenure with Liverpool, McDermott won an impressive 16 trophies and made 232 appearances, scoring 54 goals. His contribution to Liverpool's success earned him a place in the hearts of the club's supporters, as he became a fan favourite.

After leaving Liverpool, McDermott returned to Newcastle in 1982 for a second stint. Despite being a highly experienced and decorated player, he played for the Magpies for just two more years, making 74 appearances and scoring 12 goals.

4. Kevin Keegan (Liverpool 1971-1977, Newcastle 1982-1984)

Kevin Keegan, a brilliant football player, left Scunthorpe United to join Liverpool in 1971. His time at Liverpool is regarded as one of the greatest periods in the club's history. As a striker, Keegan helped Liverpool in winning three league titles and several other trophies. He scored 68 goals in 230 appearances for the club.

Keegan joined Newcastle in 1982 and continued to score a lot of goals, just like his time at Liverpool. He became a fan favourite and scored 48 goals for the Magpies in 78 matches. Keegan later went on to manage Newcastle on two occasions before retiring, cementing his status as one of the most beloved figures in the club's history.

3. Michael Owen (Liverpool 1996-2004, Newcastle 2005-2009)

Michael Owen made his professional debut for Liverpool in 1996 at the age of 17. He quickly became a fan favourite due to his impressive goal-scoring abilities, which he had already demonstrated at the youth level. Owen went on to score over 100 goals for Liverpool, win six trophies with the club, and earn the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in 2001. However, he left Liverpool in 2004 to join Real Madrid.

After a year in Spain, Owen signed for Newcastle in 2005. His time at the club was hampered by injuries, but he still managed to score 26 goals in 71 appearances across all competitions. While his time at Newcastle was not as successful as his years at Liverpool, Owen remained a highly-regarded player and one of the greatest English footballers of his generation.

2. Ian Rush (Liverpool 1980–1987, 1988–1996, Newcastle 1997-1998)

Ian Rush is widely considered one of Liverpool's greatest-ever players, having scored the most goals for the club with a total of 346 goals. Rush had two separate stints with Liverpool, playing during both the First Division and Premier League eras, and he helped the team to win an incredible 20 trophies, which included five league titles and two European Cups.

In 1997, after a short spell with Leeds United, Rush joined Newcastle. However, at this point in his career, his skills had declined and he only managed to score twice in 14 games for the Magpies.

1. James Milner (Newcastle 2004-2008, Liverpool 2015-)

During the early stages of his career, Milner played for Newcastle for four years, from 2004 to 2008. He made 94 appearances for the club, scoring a total of six goals, and was instrumental in helping Newcastle secure the 2006 Uefa Intertoto Cup.

Milner is widely considered one of the greatest English football players and has been playing for Liverpool for the last seven years. During his time at Liverpool, he has won a number of major trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. Milner has played more than 200 games for Liverpool and remains an integral part of the team, showcasing his immense talent and versatility on the field.