Liverpool and Arsenal enjoy a reputation as two of the biggest clubs in England – and both have possessed some serious talent over the years.
It is always a thrilling encounter when these sides face each other, with a great mixture of high-scoring draws and utter humiliations, and both clubs have also shared a number of players in their rich histories.
We’ve identified the five players to have played for both clubs in the Premier League era, meaning there is no room for Michael Thomas, who famously scored at Anfield to win Arsenal the First Division in 1989, before signing for Liverpool two years later.
Nicolas Anelka
A generational talent turned journeyman, the controversial striker began his career in England at Highbury, signing from Paris Saint-Germain in 1997, winning the double before departing for Real Madrid a year later.
It is difficult to find a club that Anelka hasn’t played for at some point, and he spent six months on loan at Liverpool in 2002, scoring five times. But this wasn’t enough to convince the club to sign him from PSG permanently instead of El Hadji Diouf.
The former France international played for 12 clubs in total, and never fully replicated the form he showed at Arsenal which saw him win the PFA Young Player of the Year award as a young champion.
READ: A tribute to young Nicolas Anelka at Arsenal, one of the best transfers ever
Jermaine Pennant
Comparisons can be drawn between Pennant and Anelka, as a remarkable young talent who never quite reached his potential.
Scoring a hat-trick on his full Premier League debut for Arsenal against Southampton in the very first game of the record 49-match unbeaten run earned him a lot of attention, but discipline problems meant he never scored again for the Gunners.
After various loan spells, Pennant found himself at Birmingham City and was relegated in 2006 before completing a permanent move to Liverpool.
He showed some early promise on Merseyside, but could not maintain any form and was subsequently released at the end of his deal. Pennant played for 15 clubs ranging from England to Spain to India, but his longest spells were at Arsenal and Liverpool.
Pennant clearly enjoyed the footballer lifestyle a bit too much…
READ: FHM parties, vodka & a hat-trick: Pennant’s first PL start for Arsenal
Kolo Toure
One of Arsene Wenger’s greatest finds, Toure joined Arsenal in 2002 for £150k, and became an Invincible and one of the club’s greatest-ever defenders. A fan favourite,…
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