When it comes to football transfers, there are some boundaries that shouldn't be crossed.
For example, moving from FC Barcelona to Real Madrid is considered a cardinal sin, as Luis Figo found out the hard way when he had a pig's head thrown at him after crossing the divide in 2000.
Moving from Tottenham to Arsenal is also seen as a no-go. Just ask Sol Campbell.
When it comes to Chelsea and Liverpool, however, despite the two, especially in recent years, developing a bitter rivalry, it's widely seen as acceptable for players to play for both clubs.
In fact, there's been quite a few that have.
Here, Everything Chelsea outlines the 13 players to date that have played for both Chelsea and Liverpool, and looks back at their careers for both clubs.
Fernando Torres
Liverpool (2007–2011), Chelsea (2011–2014)
After arriving at Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in 2007, Fernando Torres quickly established himself as one of the Premier League's most lethal finishers, scoring 65 goals in just three-and-a-half seasons.
He moved to Chelsea for a fee of £50 million in January 2011, but was unable to replicate the same form he'd shown at Anfield at Stamford Bridge, scoring just 20 Premier League goals in 110 games. He did, however, play a key role the Blues' UEFA Champions League and Europa League triumphs in 2012 and 2013.
Nicolas Anelka
Liverpool (2002), Chelsea (2008–2012)
Nicolas Anelka had a brief loan spell at Liverpool in the second half of the 2001/02 season, arriving from Paris Saint-Germain. After he scored just four goals in 20 appearances, however, the club decided against making the move permanent.
Following stints at several other clubs including Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers, Anelka eventually joined Chelsea in 2008. At Chelsea, Anelka was far more successful, winning the Premier League in 2010, the FA Cup twice, and the Premier League Golden Boot in 2008/09. He scored 59 goals in 184 appearances during his four years at Stamford Bridge.
Mohamed Salah
Chelsea (2014–2016), Liverpool (2017–present)
If it weren't talked about so often, it would be easy to forget that Mohamed Salah once played for Chelsea. He signed for the Blues from Basel in 2014, but made barely a handful of starts for the Blues before being shipped to Italy.
After a successful few seasons in Serie A, Liverpool then came calling in 2017, paying AS Roma a club record £36.5 million for Salah's services. Since, the Egyptian has more than repaid that fee. He's now the Reds' record Premier League goalscorer with 159 goals, and has helped the club win nearly ever major honour possible, including the Champions League twice.
Daniel Sturridge
Chelsea (2009–2013), Liverpool (2013–2019)
Daniel Sturridge signed for Chelsea from Manchester City in 2009. Though he went on to play nearly 100 games for the Blues, he was never able to establish himself as a first-team regular and was eventually sold to Liverpool in January 2013.
At Anfield, Sturridge enjoyed a fine first season-and-a-half, scoring 35 goals in 49 games and forming a deadly partnership with Luis Suarez than nearly fired the Reds to the Premier League title. Injuries, however, then curtailed his progress, and he left Liverpool in 2019.
Yossi Benayoun
Liverpool (2007–2010), Chelsea (2010–2013)
Known for his creativity and technical ability, Yossi Benanyoun is seen as somewhat of a cult hero by Liverpool fans.
The Israeli midfielder signed for the Reds in 2007 from West Ham United and went on to make 134 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals. He signed for Chelsea in 2010 but struggled with injuries and competition for places. He managed just 24 games for the Blues before he joined Arsenal.
Raul Meireles
Liverpool (2010–2011), Chelsea (2011–2012)
Despite playing just one whole season for each club, Raul Meireles' short spells at Liverpool and Chelsea can both be considered resounding successes.
In his single season at Anfield, the Portuguese star was a regular starter for the Reds, making 41 appearances and scoring five goals in all competitions. Thanks to his solid performances in the middle of the park, he was voted the PFA Fans' Player of the Year.
He then joined Chelsea, where he played a key role in their 2011-12 Champions League-winning campaign, notably hitting a late winner in the Blues' quarter-final win over Benfica.
Joe Cole
Chelsea (2003–2010), Liverpool (2010–2013)
Joe Cole achieved great success with Chelsea after joining from West Ham in 2003. In seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, he made 281 appearances and scored 40 goals, winning three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and two League Cups.
He joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2010, but struggled to make an impact due to injuries and poor form, managing just 26 appearances and 5 goals during his time at Anfield.
Glen Johnson
Chelsea (2003–2007), Liverpool (2009–2015)
Glen Johnson was the first player Chelsea ever signed under the reign of Roman Abramovich, joining, like Cole, the Blues from West Ham following their relegation from the Premier League in 2003.
Unlike Cole, however, Johnson struggled to establish himself as a regular at Stamford Bridge, making just 71 appearances over four seasons before being sold to Portsmouth. He later joined Liverpool in 2009 where he had no such problems, making 200 appearances for the Reds over six years.
Boudewijn Zenden
Chelsea (2001–2004), Liverpool (2005–2007)
Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden signed for Chelsea in 2001 after a successful spell at FC Barcelona. He spent three seasons at Stamford Bridge, where injuries hampered his progress, limiting him to just 59 appearances and seven goals.
Following a brief stint at Middlesbrough, Zenden joined Liverpool in 2005. Though mostly used as a squad player, he made 47 appearances in two seasons at Anfield.
Victor Moses
Chelsea (2012–2021), Liverpool (2013–2014, loan)
Victor Moses' Chelsea story is really quite remarkable. After joining the Blues from Wigan in 2012, he enjoyed a successful debut season being deployed as a winger, scoring 10 goals in 43 games, helping the Blues lift the Europa League.
But for reasons unknown, he was then shipped out on-loan to Liverpool for the 2013/14 campaign, where he struggled for minutes, making just 22 appearances. Loans at Stoke City and West Ham then followed for the Nigerian, whose Chelsea career looked all but over.
After Antonio Conte took charge of Chelsea in 2016, however, Moses was converted into a right-wing-back and subsequently played a crucial role in the Blues' Premier League title win that season and their FA Cup triumph in 2017/18.
Fabio Borini
Chelsea (2007–2011), Liverpool (2012–2015)
A player neither Chelsea or Liverpool fans will remember that fondly, Fabio Borini started his professional career at Stamford Bridge, but struggled to break into the first team, making just eight appearances for the club between 2007 and 2011.
After spells in Italy, Liverpool then signed him in 2012, but the Italian made just 38 appearances for the Reds, mostly from the bench, before being sold to Sunderland in 2015.
Dominic Solanke
Chelsea (2014-2017), Liverpool (2017-2019)
Despite being a bonafide goal machine for Chelsea's youth sides, Dominic Solanke was never given a chance to make his mark in the Blues' first-team. He made just one senior appearance for the club before leaving for Liverpool in 2017.
Unlike at Chelsea, the Englishman was given a chance at Liverpool, making 27 appearances in his first season at Anfield. After managing just one goal, however, he was sold to Bournemouth.
Down South, he rediscovered his golden touch, scoring 77 goals in six years, form that earned him a £55 million move to Tottenham this summer.
Raheem Sterling
Liverpool (2012-2015), Chelsea (2022-2024)
Raheem Sterling began his career with Liverpool in 2012 and went on to enjoy three solid seasons at Anfield before Manchester City came calling in 2015.
At City, he established himself as one of the Premier League's biggest stars, scoring 91 goals in seven seasons to help the Sky Blues win four Premier League titles, five EFL Cups, and the FA Cup. He joined Chelsea in 2022, but is now on-loan with Arsenal after failing to make his mark in Blue.
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