Supporters of both clubs would look to Man United and Everton as their true rivals, but there is no denying the modern rivarly of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola's men.
With most derbies, per se, it's often rare that both sides share a catalogue of former players.
Liverpool and Man City have to look no further than James Milner for an example of a man who has found success on both sides of the M62.
In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the biggest stars in the contemporary game who have played for both.
Like with other write-ups that are similar to this one, the following is in no way an attempt to rank the players or comment on those not mentioned.
James Milner
Liverpool vice-captain Milner is a bit of a rarity among the host of players who have represented both clubs, given he joined the Reds directly from Man City.
After spending five seasons at the Etihad, picking up two Premier League titles and both domestic cups, the midfielder ran out his contract.
Just a few weeks after playing his final game for City in 2015, it was announced that Milner would join Liverpool on a free transfer.
The 36-year-old has played 301 times for the Reds over the last seven years and won every trophy available to him, including the coveted Champions League title in 2019.
Kolo Toure
Best remembered for his time at Arsenal, Kolo Toure was one of City's early statement signings toward the end of the 2000s.
The former Ivorian captain enjoyed four seasons with the Citizens, winning one Premier League title, before taking the same path Milner would to Liverpool.
Toure was somewhat of a cult hero at Anfield, making 71 appearances in total and scoring once. He famously won the Africa Cup of Nations while on the books in Merseyside.
Raheem Sterling
Going in the opposite direction, now at Chelsea, Raheem Sterling swapped Liverpool for Manchester in 2015 in a move that jaded the Anfield faithful.
Having come through the youth ranks at Liverpool, supporters felt it was a betrayal to join the rising City.
Sterling, however, would not regret his decision, claiming four Premier League titles and winners' medals from the FA Cup and League Cup during his seven seasons with City.
Daniel Sturridge
It can go under the radar that Daniel Sturridge once represented Man City, but it was their youth academy he graduated from in 2006.
It didn't work out for the former England striker, though, and he would join Chelsea three years later with 32 senior appearances under his belt.
Sturridge didn't have the best luck in London, where he struggled with injuries, but he would sign for Liverpool in 2012 and strike up a famous partnership with Luis Suarez.
The 33-year-old spent seven of his best years with Liverpool, scoring 67 goals in 160 games. Sturridge finally got his hands on silverware as a Reds player in 2019, winning the Champions League.
Nicolas Anelka
Stretching a touch further back in time for the next couple of players - Nicolas Anelka is the most famous journeyman mentioned in this article, so there can be little surprise he played for both Liverpool and City.
Anelka spent a season on loan at Anfield for the 2001/02 season, but the Reds didn't move to sign him permanently.
The Frenchman then joined City in a permanent deal from Paris Saint-Germain, spending three years with the club before moving onto Fenerbahce.
Robbie Fowler
There are a handful of Liverpool heroes who spent their twilight years with City, but Robbie Fowler is definitely the most high-profile.
Fowler, a product of the Reds' academy, spent eight years with the club - scoring 171 goals and winning five major honours along the way, cementing his status as an Anfield legend - before joining Leeds United in 2001.
He would then sign for City the following year, at the age of 28, making 92 appearances across four seasons before re-signing for Liverpool in 2006 and playing for his boyhood club for another two years.
Honourable mentions: Mario Balotelli, Steve McManaman, Didi Hamann, Craig Bellamy, David James, Nigel Clough.
