Liverpool and Nottingham Forest faced each other in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday, August 29, with the two historic English clubs battling it out in Liverpool’s first home league game of the 2026/27 campaign. The fixture ended in a draw, with neither side able to claim all three points.
With the two clubs sharing a long history in English football, several players have represented both sides over the years. From established Premier League stars to players who made only brief appearances, there are 12 footballers who have played for both Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
Here is the complete list:
Daniel Ayala
Daniel Ayala began his senior career at Liverpool after joining the club from Sevilla's academy. The Spanish centre-back made five appearances for the Reds before leaving permanently.
Ayala later spent the 2012-13 season with Nottingham Forest, making 12 appearances and scoring once. His career would go on to include substantial spells with Middlesbrough and other English clubs.
Nick Barmby
Nick Barmby was an experienced England international who joined Liverpool in 2000 after spells with Tottenham Hotspur, Middlesbrough and Everton.
He made 44 appearances for Liverpool across two seasons, scoring six goals. Barmby subsequently moved to Leeds United before spending the 2003-04 season at Nottingham Forest, where he made six appearances.
Nigel Clough
Nigel Clough is one of the most notable names on this list, particularly because of his association with Nottingham Forest. The forward spent several years at Forest under his father, legendary manager Brian Clough.
Clough later joined Liverpool in 1993, making 39 appearances and scoring seven goals. He returned to Forest after his Liverpool spell and eventually became a long-serving manager in English football.
Stan Collymore
Stan Collymore enjoyed a prolific spell at Nottingham Forest, scoring 41 goals in 65 appearances during the 1993-94 season.
His performances earned him a move to Liverpool in 1995. Collymore made 63 appearances for the Reds, scoring 26 goals and providing 15 assists. He famously scored in Liverpool's memorable 4-3 victory over Newcastle United in 1997.
Jack Hobbs
Jack Hobbs came through the Liverpool setup and made two senior appearances for the club in 2007.
The defender subsequently developed his career elsewhere before joining Nottingham Forest. Hobbs spent several seasons at the City Ground, making 84 appearances between 2013 and 2017.
His Forest spell was considerably more substantial than his time with Liverpool.
Paul Konchesky
Paul Konchesky joined Liverpool in 2010 after establishing himself as a Premier League defender with West Ham United and Fulham.
He made 18 appearances for the Reds before leaving the club. Konchesky subsequently joined Nottingham Forest, making 15 appearances during his brief spell there in 2010.
Divock Origi
Divock Origi is arguably the most decorated player on this list from a Liverpool perspective.
The Belgian forward joined Liverpool in 2014 and became a cult hero at Anfield, particularly because of his decisive goals in major matches. He scored 42 goals in 176 appearances for the club and played a significant role in Liverpool's Champions League triumph in 2019 and Premier League title-winning campaign.
Origi later joined Nottingham Forest in 2023, making 22 appearances and scoring once.
Lee Peltier
Lee Peltier made only one senior appearance for Liverpool after progressing through the club's academy.
The defender went on to build a lengthy career in English football, representing several clubs. One of those was Nottingham Forest, where he made seven appearances during the 2013 season.
Jack Robinson
Jack Robinson came through Liverpool's academy and became the club's youngest-ever player at the time when he made his senior debut in 2010.
He made four appearances for Liverpool before moving on to pursue regular first-team football elsewhere. Robinson joined Nottingham Forest in 2018 and made 59 appearances across his spell with the club.
Dean Saunders
Dean Saunders was a prolific Welsh striker who played for Liverpool during the early 1990s.
He made 11 appearances for the Reds and scored 10 goals, an impressive scoring rate during his short spell. Saunders later joined Nottingham Forest, making 43 appearances and scoring five goals.
Jonjo Shelvey
Jonjo Shelvey joined Liverpool as a highly rated young midfielder and made 58 appearances for the club between 2010 and 2012, scoring six goals.
After spells with Swansea City and Newcastle United, Shelvey moved to Nottingham Forest in 2022. He made eight appearances for Forest during his time at the club.
Neco Williams
Neco Williams is the most recent player on the list to have represented both clubs.
The Welsh full-back came through Liverpool's academy and made 56 appearances for the Reds, providing six assists. He was part of Liverpool's squad during the club's successful period under Jürgen Klopp.
Williams joined Nottingham Forest in 2022 and has since established himself as an important option for the club, making a significant number of appearances on the right side of the defence.
Liverpool & Nottingham Forest: The Complete List
The 12 players to have represented both Liverpool and Nottingham Forest are:
- Daniel Ayala
- Nick Barmby
- Nigel Clough
- Stan Collymore
- Jack Hobbs
- Paul Konchesky
- Divock Origi
- Lee Peltier
- Jack Robinson
- Dean Saunders
- Jonjo Shelvey
- Neco Williams
These are the 12 players who have represented both clubs in their senior careers.
As Liverpool and Nottingham Forest renew their Premier League rivalry at Anfield, these players provide another interesting link between two historic clubs. While some enjoyed lengthy and memorable spells with one side, others had only brief stays, but all have the distinction of wearing both the Liverpool and Nottingham Forest shirts.
