Combined XI: Liverpool v Leeds played for both

Centre back: Dominic Matteo

Matteo, capped six times by Scotland, is another who can play in multiple positions, but due to the amount of left backs eligible for this team he gets in at centre back.

Although born in Scotland, he moved to England at a young age and therefore came through Liverpool’s youth system. He then crossed over to the Whites in 2000 and played over 100 times for each club.

Re-live his most memorable moment in a Leeds shirt, when he headed home against AC Milan in the Champions League…

Centre back: Jim Beglin

Going a bit further back, former Republic of Ireland international Beglin played for the Reds and Whites during the 1980s after joining the former from Shamrock Rovers in 1983.

He won the English top-flight title and FA Cup with Liverpool in 1985/86, and later the Second Division with Leeds.

Left back: Stephen Warnock

Liverpool graduate Warnock spent just over two years in the senior team at Anfield, but was arguably more important for Leeds in the Championship during his three-season spell up until 2015.

His departure to Derby led to to in-demand full back Charlie Taylor getting a chance in the team, while twice capped Warnock now plies his trade at Wigan Athletic.

Centre midfield: Gary McAllister

McAllister made his name in England as a goalscoring midfielder for Leicester City in the mid-to-late 80s, before Leeds brought him in to replace Vinnie Jones.

The Scotsman soon won the final First Division in 1991/92 – the Whites’ last ever top-flight title too – while he went on to shine at Liverpool too despite being 35 years old when signing on a Bosman.

Centre midfield: Nick Barmby

Being born in Hull, it is not too surprising that Barmby turned out for nearby Leeds, and scored on his debut – but from there it was downhill really and he joined his hometown club after just 31 matches.

He upset Everton fans when he made the switch to Liverpool earlier in his career – the first time that had happened since Dave Hickson in 1959. However, he justified the move after being involved in their 2000/01 ‘treble season’, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup.

Attacking midfield: Harry Kewell

Likewise with Barmby, Kewell made an unpopular move, though this time it was Leeds fans he angered after signing for bitter rivals Galatasaray following his spell at Liverpool.

Despite this, the Australian was a fan favourite for both English teams while on their books, and was part of the Reds’ famous 2005 Champions League triumph.

Striker: Robbie Keane

Keane first had his chance at Leeds when on loan at Inter Milan back in 2001, and scored an impressive nine goals in 14 appearances, before being signed. But he was soon shipped off to Spurs due to lack of form and the Whites’ financial issues.

It was following his first spell in north London that he signed for one of his ‘favourite boyhood clubs’ Liverpool. Though, again the all-time Republic of Ireland top scorer’s season stint there was nothing to shout about and he soon rejoined Tottenham.

Striker: Ian Rush

Rush is one of the all-time Liverpool greats, and no Reds player past or present has more goals than him for the club. He signed for the Reds twice, either side of an ill-fated spell with Juventus.

The same could be said for his time at Elland Road, as he netted just three times in 36 Premier League appearances, after signing from Anfield, before moving to Newcastle United.

Striker: Robbie Fowler

Another Liverpool legend in Fowler completes this team, meaning the likes of Jermaine Pennant and El Hadji Diouf miss out, but his departure from the Reds signalled a dramatic decline in form.

After 183 goals for his boyhood club, at which he was quite simply known as ‘God’, he moved to Leeds after falling down the pecking order behind Michael Owen and Emile Heskey. Fowler initially impressed, but was sold after little over a season to help ease the Whites’ financial woes.

Related

For more football features and tips, check out our extensive archive.

Do you agree with our Liverpool v Leeds played for both combined XI? Let us know in the comments section below.