Every Liverpool player to leave for Real Madrid & how they fared in Spanish capital | OneFootball

Very few players have enjoyed the luxury of playing for two of the world's biggest clubs: Liverpool and Real Madrid.

The two European behemoths have seldom done business with one another over the years but there have been some high-profile dealings, with the most eye-catching trades having seen Liverpool stars trade Anfield for the glitz of the Santiago Bernabeu.

Once arriving in the Spanish capital, these trailblazers have enjoyed varying degrees of success, with several sacrificing legendary status at Liverpool as a result. Trent Alexander-Arnold, take heed.

Here are the five players who have left Liverpool for Madrid and how each fared.

Steve McManaman was first to trade Anfield for the Bernabeu / Ben Radford/GettyImages

Steve McManaman was the first to directly walk the path between Liverpool and Madrid. Having risen through the academy on Merseyside, the local lad proceeded to spend nine years with the Reds within a period of relatively limited success. He claimed only the FA Cup and League Cup in almost a decade.

Eager to bolster his trophy cabinet, McManaman made the switch to Madrid in 1999 and despite initially struggling to find his feet with Los Blancos, he soon became a cult hero among supporters. He won La Liga twice and a further two Champions League titles, forming an impressive relationship with Roberto Carlos down the left-hand side.

David Beckham's arrival in 2003 pushed McManaman down the pecking order, however, and the winger, having made 158 appearances for the Spanish giants, eventually made the move back to England with Manchester City.

Michael Owen

Michael Owen struggled in Spain / Ian Walton/GettyImages

Michael Owen's rapid ascent into the limelight saw Liverpool supporters swiftly fall in love with their academy star, who was a relentless goalscorer for the Reds from a young age. Heroics in the 2000/01 FA Cup final was one of many highlights but the striker soon torched his legacy at Anfield.

Owen followed the path laid by McManaman in 2004 when signing for Madrid but lasted just one season in the Spanish capital. Despite an impressive goalscoring return - 16 in 45 outings - competition for places saw Owen return to the Premier League at the beginning of the 2005/06 campaign with Newcastle United.

Owen had already burned bridges on his exit from Anfield but went on to sour the relationship further by joining Liverpool's arch rivals Manchester United in 2009.

Jerzy Dudek

Liverpool's Champions League final hero joined Madrid in 2007 / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/GettyImages

Jerzy Dudek remains an icon in Liverpool folklore for his staggering display in the 2005 Champions League final as the Reds came from three goals behind to beat AC Milan on penalties in Istanbul. The Poland international's shootout heroics and one particularly extraordinary double save from Andriy Shevchenko etched his name in the history books.

After making 186 appearances with Liverpool, Dudek made the move to Madrid aged 34 but was only ever understudy to Iker Casillas. He managed just 12 outings in white during four years before retiring in 2011.

Alvaro Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa earned plenty of minutes in Madrid / AFP/GettyImages

Alvaro Arbeloa had unfinished business with Madrid. The right-back made two senior appearances for Los Blancos having spent five years in the academy setup, but was eventually forced to look elsewhere for first-team football. Liverpool signed the Spaniard in 2007 after a brief stint with Deportivo La Coruna.

Arbeloa impressed during his spell at Anfield and Madrid came calling for their former defender in 2009, just two years after Liverpool had recruited him. The call was too strong to ignore as he returned to the Bernabeu, going on to become a crucial fixture in the Los Blancos defence.

He made 238 total appearances for the Spanish titans and won the Champions League on two occasions, although he slipped to the periphery towards the end of his second spell with Madrid.

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso remains loved by both sets of supporters / Matthew Ashton/GettyImages

Xabi Alonso has retained legendary status at every club he's played for such was the grace and endeavour of the former midfielder, with Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Madrid and Bayern Munich supporters all adoring the Spaniard.

Anfield is where Alonso established himself as a truly elite midfielder, immediately helping guide the Reds to the Champions League title in his first season. The FA Cup followed the next year and he was integral as Liverpool came close to more European glory in 2006/07, as well as a first Premier League title in his last season with the club.

Alonso made the move to Madrid in 2009 and offered typically consistent and elegant performances in the engine room. The silky Spaniard won five trophies with the club, including La Liga and the Champions League, before moving to Bayern Munich in 2014.

Now coaching Bayer Leverkusen and guiding them to new heights, he could well lead Liverpool and Madrid during his managerial career.