The top five players to represent Liverpool and West Ham in the PL era

During the Premier League era, the transfer route between Liverpool and West Ham United has been a particularly well-trodden path. 

Both clubs have had their fair share of star players and no fewer than 20 players have represented both the Reds and the Irons since the start of 1992-93.

We put the case forward for the best five footballers to pull on a Liverpool and West Ham shirt over the last 30 years.

Only Gareth Barry, Ryan Giggs, Frank Lampard and James Milner can eclipse James for the most all-time Premier League appearances. However, arriving at Anfield from Watford at just 21, the England international had much to prove between the sticks.

He was a custodian for the Reds who split opinion; regularly an eye-catching save would be followed by a calamitous error. The reason he was labelled – perhaps unfairly – as “calamity James” in some quarters.

But James stayed for seven seasons at Anfield before a swift stay at Aston Villa was followed by a transfer to the Hammers. He made over 100 appearances but moved to Man City when the club were relegated from the top-tier.

The England international was a member of the West Ham youth academy which also produced stars like Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick. But the full-back only played 15 first-team matches for the Irons.

It may have been more but West Ham’s relegation in 2003 to the Championship saw the club cash in on the then-talented youngster.

After spells with Chelsea and Portsmouth, Johnson joined the Reds in 2009 – becoming the club’s most expensive defender at the time. He looked on course to justify his £17.5million price tag early on at Anfield, as he recorded two goals and three assists in his opening five matches.

But before his switch to Stoke