Transfers are an integral part of football history. It is perfectly natural for players to play for different teams throughout the course of their careers. As two of the best clubs in the history of the sport, a fair few players have had the privilege to play for both Chelsea and Liverpool.
Career routes can look a little different. Players might transfer permanently or simply play on loan. Otherwise, they might have moved from to one of the clubs later in their career.
Here, we will outline the 13 players who played for Chelsea and Liverpool. We provide context on the time period and list any notable achievements or statistics about the players.
The 13 players who played for Chelsea and Liverpool
Boudewijn Zenden
More commonly known as Bolo, Zenden was a versatile and creative player. He was happy to do a job in most midfield or attacking positions.
Years at Chelsea: 2001–2004
Years at Liverpool: 2005–2007
Notable achievements: Mostly known for his Liverpool days rather than Chelsea. He won the UEFA Super Cup and the Community Shield.
Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka was an exceptional centre forward. He knew how to run in behind and is a Premier League cult hero. He had a better time at Chelsea than Liverpool.
Years at Liverpool: 2001-2002 (loan)
Years at Chelsea: 2008-2012
Notable achievements: Nicolas Anelka only spent one season on loan at Liverpool, winning no trophies during this season. Joining Chelsea later in his career, Anelka won two FA Cups, one Premier League title and the Community Shield. He won the double in 2009-2010.
Glen Johnson
One of those full-backs who was ahead of his time. Glen Johnson was a fine full-back, especially capable in attacking positions. He could do a job in the modern footballing era.
Years at Chelsea: 2003-2007
Years at Liverpool: 2009-2015
Notable achievements: Won the Premier League and League Cup double with Chelsea in 2005. He also repeated the League Cup success with Liverpool in 2012.
Yossi Benayoun
Remembered for his versatility, Yossi Benayoun was able to make an impact both on the wing and through midfield. It's fair to say, he's remembered more fondly by Liverpool fans than Chelsea fans.
Years at Liverpool: 2007-2010
Years at Chelsea: 2010-2013
Notable achievements: At Liverpool, Yossi Benayoun made 92 Premier League appearances. He then earned a transfer to Chelsea but it's fair to say, he flopped. However, he did win the Europa League in 2013 with Chelsea, an unused sub in the final.
Joe Cole
Mostly playing out on the wing, Joe Cole is a Chelsea legend by every stretch of the imagination. He did sign for Liverpool but had a miserable time at Anfield. He should've stayed at Chelsea.
Years at Chelsea: 2003-2010
Years at Liverpool: 2010-2013
Notable achievements: Cole won three Premier League trophies with Chelsea during their most successful period. He also won two FA Cups and the Football League Cup, named Chelsea Player of the Year in 2008.
Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres is one of the best strikers Liverpool has ever seen. He is also one of the biggest flops Chelsea has ever seen.
Years at Liverpool: 2007–2011
Years at Chelsea: 2011–2015
Notable achievements: Despite not playing to the best of his abilities at Chelsea, he did win the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League. That has to count for something.
Raul Meireles
A real engine in the midfield, Raul Meireles put in a shift for both Chelsea and Liverpool. However, due to the technical shift in the Premier League at the time, he only spent one season at each club.
Years at Liverpool: 2010-2011
Years at Chelsea: 2011-2012
Notable achievements: Won the FA Cup and Champions League double with Chelsea. Not a bad sole season.
Fabio Borini
Commended for his versatility in attack, Fabio Borini could play in a few positions. For Liverpool more than Chelsea, he was often used as a winger or secondary striker.
Years at Chelsea: 2009-2011
Years at Liverpool: 2012-2015
Notable achievements: He was a Premier League and FA Cup double winner with Chelsea in his first season, despite not being a regular starter.
Daniel Sturridge
A rapid striker with a keen eye for goal, Daniel Sturridge not only brought his A-game to both clubs, but he encouraged those around him to play with more desire.
Years at Chelsea: 2009–2013
Years at Liverpool: 2013–2019
Notable achievements: Formed an incredible partnership with Luis Suarez at Liverpool. He won the Champions League at both clubs but at Chelsea, he also won the Premier League and FA Cup (twice).
Victor Moses
Known for his intent-driven dribbling ability, Victor Moses was not afraid to bomb into promising positions, whether with or without the ball. He spent a large chunk of time at Chelsea and a season on loan at Liverpool.
Years at Chelsea: 2012-2021
Years at Liverpool: 2013-2014 (loan)
Notable achievements: He won two Europa Leagues, one Premier League and one FA Cup at Chelsea.
Dominic Solanke
It is fair to say that Dominic Solanke achieved his notoriety after leaving both Chelsea and Liverpool. He is a great goal-scorer and an even harder worker, but neither Chelsea nor Liverpool witnessed it.
Years at Chelsea: 2014-2017
Years at Liverpool: 2017-2019
Notable achievements: He became Chelsea's youngest player in the UEFA Champions League.
Mohamed Salah
Chelsea fans might want to look away. Mohamed Salah is probably the best player ever sold by Chelsea, establishing himself as a Liverpool legend later down the line.
Years at Chelsea: 2014–2016
Years at Liverpool: 2017-current
Notable achievements: Won everything there is to win at Liverpool. Returning to England, he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Community Shield
Raheem Sterling
Raheem the dream as he is known to many. He's played for most of the big six clubs already, so he is very well known in the Premier League for his dribbling ability.
Years at Liverpool: 2012–2015
Years at Chelsea: 2022–current
Notable achievements: Whilst at Liverpool, Raheem Sterling won the Golden Boy award. It is fair to say, though, that he is more remembered for his Man City days.