Over the previous couple of years, Manchester Metropolis vs Liverpool has change into one of the crucial extremely anticipated fixtures on the English soccer calendar. Impressively, there isn’t a dangerous blood between them. Their rivalry is only primarily based on benefit and aspirations.
Since Jurgen Klopp’s appointment in 2015, Liverpool have established themselves as an everyday within the Premier League title race. Manchester Metropolis, in the meantime, have change into serial Premier League winners below Pep Guardiola. So, as a rule, their two match-ups have a significant affect on the title race.
The story is popping out equally within the 2023-24 season as effectively, with Liverpool sitting some extent and place behind Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League rankings. Forward of their assembly on Saturday (November 25), we determined to check out 5 high soccer stars who represented each camps over time and take a look at how they fared. Now with out additional ado, let’s start:
#5 Dietmar Hamann
One of many heroes of Liverpool’s iconic comeback win over AC Milan within the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League ultimate in Istanbul, Dietmar Hamann loved a trophy-laden seven-season keep at Anfield. The previous defensive midfielder performed 283 matches for Liverpool, scoring 11 instances and offering 26 assists. Alongside the 2005 Champions League, the German gained two UEFA Supercups, one UEFA Europa League, two FA Cups, two EFL Cups, and one Group Protect at Anfield.
Hamann’s Manchester Metropolis spell, nevertheless, was not as memorable. He spent three seasons on the membership between 2006 and 2009, enjoying 71 video games and scoring as soon as. The ex-Bayern Munich man didn’t win any silverware at Metropolis.
#4 Mario Balotelli
One of the enigmatic figures in soccer, Mario Balotelli had the privilege of enjoying for each Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool. The previous Italy worldwide, who’s extra recognized for his off-field antics than on-field brilliance, joined Manchester Metropolis from Inter Milan in the summertime of 2010. Earlier than leaving for AC Milan in January 2013, Balotelli scored 30 objectives in 80 video games for Metropolis throughout competitions, famously successful the 2011-12 Premier League title.
Balotelli returned to the Premier League only a season later with Liverpool. The 33-year-old scored 4 objectives in 28 video games for the Merseysiders earlier than being loaned out after which offered.
#3 Kolo Toure
Following a profitable seven-season stint at Arsenal, former Ivory Coast worldwide Kolo Toure signed for Manchester Metropolis in July 2009. The middle-back spent the subsequent 4 years of his profession on the Etihad Stadium, enjoying a complete of 102 matches. Toure was a part of the Metropolis group that gained the Premier League group within the 2011-12 season.
In the summertime of 2013, Toure joined Liverpool as a free agent. The 2-time Premier League winner with Arsenal performed 71 matches with the Reds, scoring as soon as and claiming three assists.
#2 James Milner
An epitome of consistency and longevity, James Milner joined Manchester Metropolis from Aston Villa in August 2010. The versatile midfielder shortly turned a mainstay in Metropolis’s XI and went on to make a powerful 203 appearances in all competitions over the subsequent 5 seasons. Milner pitched in with 19 objectives and 44 assists, serving to Metropolis to 2 Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one EFL Cup, and a FA Group Protect.
Milner joined Liverpool in the summertime of 2015 and spent the subsequent eight seasons of his profession at Anfield. The Englishman performed 332 video games for the Reds, scoring 26 instances and offering 46 assists. The 37-year-old gained one UEFA Champions League and one Premier League title with the Merseysiders, amongst different honors.
#1 Raheem Sterling
Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling spent appreciable time at Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool, producing memorable performances for each groups. The England worldwide performed for Liverpool’s U18 and U21 sides earlier than being promoted to the senior group in July 2012. Over the subsequent three years, he performed 129 video games for the Reds in all competitions, scoring 23 instances and claiming 25 assists.
In the summertime of 2015, Sterling controversially joined Manchester Metropolis. The transfer drew a number of criticism from the Anfield devoted, however Sterling saved his head down and continued honing his craft. Following Guardiola’s appointment in 2016, the winger turned top-of-the-line within the league, successful a complete of 12 trophies below him, together with 4 Premier League titles. Earlier than leaving Metropolis for Chelsea final yr, Sterling performed 339 video games for the Cityzens, scoring 131 instances and offering 95 assists.
