Ibrahima Konate is set to become the latest player to make the switch from Liverpool to Real Madrid. Kopites are rightly angry, as they are losing another player on a free transfer to European rivals.
The Frenchman moved to Anfield in 2021 from RB Leipzig, after impressing in Germany. During his time at the Reds, we won two Carabao Cups, one FA Cup and the Premier League. He also reached the World Cup final with France, and the Champions League final, where they lost to his new side in 2022.
With the teams battling it out in Europe over the past eight years, it’s no surprise they have similar interests. The pair were heavily linked with Aurelien Tchouameni after the 2022 Champions League final, though the midfielder picked Spain. Konate may not be the only man to make the switch this summer, as it’s believed they hold Alexis Mac Allister in high regard.
However, if the Argentinian was to move this summer, he would require a transfer fee from the 15-time Champions of Europe. As the defender is set to make the move, here is a look at all the players who have gone from Anfield to the Bernabeu. From Scousers to Spaniards, plenty have made the switch, which is becoming very common.
Steve McManaman : Free Transfer – 1999
The Liverpool-born and bred winger was the first to make the direct move in the club’s dreadful 1990s. His numbers were sensational for a side that were falling by the wayside of Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle. So much so, that Los Blancos included him in their ‘Galactico Era’.
The likes of Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf, Raul and future Reds striker Fernando Morientes played with the Scouser. He spent three years in Spain, where we scored in the 2000 Champions League final on their way to victory. Another European title and two La Ligas were added to his collection before joining Manchester City.
Michael Owen: £8 million – 2004
Owen was lighting up Anfield each and every week under Gerard Houllier. He was dominant in 2001 as he went on to win the Balon d’Or after Liverpool won the treble. Ronaldo and Raul were still the main attacking options when it came to Real Madrid, though they wanted Owen.
Rafael Bentiez’s appointment in the summer, and with his contract running close to expiring, he jumped ship. That year, the English forward was often called upon off the bench, while the Anfield outfit won their fifth European Cup. After a single year in Spain, he returned to England for Newcastle.
Jerzy Dudek: Free transfer – 2007
His heroics in that final are remembered by Kopites to this day, but the Spanish manager had a different idea. Pepe Reina joined in 2005, quickly becoming the new number one, as he helped them win the FA Cup in 2006.
Ahead of Reina in the Spanish national side was Madrid’s keeper Iker Casillas, though Dudek moved there regardless. He spent his time as Casillas’ backup and only featured twice in La Liga, with one being his final match. In 2011, he retired from football as part of Los Blancos.
Alvaro Arbeloa: £5 million – 2009
The former Real Madrid academy graduate was shining brightly for his new team, Deportivo La Coruna, in 2006. So much so that Benitez viewed him as the Liverpool right back he required. By the 2007-08 season, he was well and truly embedded in the squad.
With legendary figure Michel Salgado leaving, the door opened for him to make a return to Madrid. He won La Liga once and the Champions League twice in his playing career. He was appointed the head coach of the side in January 2026, but stepped down at the end of the campaign.
Xabi Alonso: £30 million – 2009
Alonso was a key piece to the puzzle at Anfield, as he shared the middle of the park with Javier Mascherano and the Reds captain, Steven Gerrard. However, rumours speculated that he wanted to leave the club.
The talk of Gareth Barry moving to Liverpool opened the door for Alonso to leave, and Madrid signed him. It was the beginning of their second ‘Galactico Era’, with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo joining. He was now a main player for Madrid, while his former club fell into a decline.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Free transfer -2025
The most anger Kopites displayed was towards this move, which seemed engineered years in advance. The Scouser originally spoke about aspirations of becoming captain one day at Liverpool, but that never happened. A star player under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot was walking away on a free.
Towards the end of the 2024-25 season, fans showed their bitterness as he was booed when brought on as a substitute. In Spain, he is battling for a starting place due to Dani Carvajal’s consistency.
Further signs of panic are setting in as they are looking to sign Denzel Dumfries this summer. Despite McManaman leaving on a free, they are viewed differently due to the circumstances. Alexander-Arnold had a team built to challenge for titles, but looked elsewhere for satisfaction.
