Played for both: Five attackers that featured for Newcastle and Liverpool after Wijnaldum transfer

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | July 23, 2016

Newcastle United (15/8 favourites with Coral to win the Championship) and Liverpool have always had their close connections as, over the years, a number of players and managers from these two passionate teams have crossed over.

Netherlands international wideman Georginio Wijnaldum is just the latest in a long line of exciting attackers to cross the divide, departing Tyneside for Merseyside in a deal worth around £25m. However, there have been far more illustrious names to swap between or play for both of the two northern English clubs before.

Delighted to have signed for @LFC . Can’t wait to see you on Anfield #YNWA pic.twitter.com/2yGHsuJarQ

— Georginio Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) July 22, 2016

So, after the latest deal between the two teams, Coral writers pick out five of the highest profile forwards and attackers to have plied their trade for both of the famous football clubs.

#LFC can confirm new signing @GWijnaldum will wear the No.5 shirt: https://t.co/8cWkOzuH3B#WelcomeWijnaldum pic.twitter.com/3Q5SqBss0Q

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 22, 2016

John Barnes

Jamaican-born Barnes was a flying winger for Liverpool across a decade, winning many trophies with them, including two league titles and as many FA Cups. In the latter part of his career, he spent two campaigns with the Toon, although had an injury-hit second season.

Peter Beardsley

Despite being released by his boyhood club Newcastle as a youth, he went on to become a club legend for them across two later spells. In between those periods, he turned out for Merseyside duo Liverpool and Everton, but was more fondly known for his time with the former.

Like Barnes, Beardsley won the league title twice, and also gained an FA Cup. The Reds are 13/8 chances to finish in the Premier League top four in the upcoming campaign under their impressive boss Jurgen Klopp.

Kevin Keegan

Another footballing reject as a youth, this time by Coventry City, Keegan went on to become one of the biggest names in the world, and won the Ballon d’Or in successive seasons during the late 1970s.

He was more fondly known for his time as a player with Liverpool, where he gained much silverware including the European Cup, but was also highly prolific for Newcastle and helped them get promoted to the top-flight. Keegan later managed the Toon, finishing runner-up in the Premier League twice with them.

Michael Owen

Owen was a sensation for Liverpool, ever since making a goalscoring debut as a teenager. He netted 158 times in just 297 games for them, and still stands eighth on the all-time Reds list in only eight years. After moving to Real Madrid, he returned to England with Newcastle in an injury-hit spell, but still had a decent goal record.

Ian Rush

Rush stands firmly on top of Liverpool’s scoring charts with 346, again claiming a huge collection of trophies during his two spells. He spent a season at Newcastle late on in his career, but managed just two goals for them.

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