It feels like Liverpool and Newcastle have been joined at the hip this summer across all media platforms.
The Alexander Isak transfer saga has taken several dramatic twists and turns along the road and nobody knows how it will eventually end. However, this is not the first time that these two proud clubs have had to work through a hugely important transfer.
The Reds have gotten some very impactful talents to sign at Anfield from the Northeast over the years. Today, I'm here to rank the four best players to sign for Liverpool from Newcastle.
This will take into account their personal and team success while at Anfield and the lasting legacy they left behind with the club. Let's dive into the list!
4. Didi Hamann - £8 million in summer of 1999
Hamann was not a huge factor during his stint with the Magpies, but when he made the move to Liverpool for this sum, he was expected to play a vital role for the Reds upon arrival.
The hardworking midfielder won eight trophies with the Reds, including the famed 2005 Champions League, while also making 283 total appearances and scoring 11 goals with 36 assists.
While the German was never the best player in any of the Liverpool sides he was a part of, he carved out a very prominent role as one of the "best of the rest" type players. His work rate and reading of the game made him a valuable asset at the base of the midfield.
His game wasn't flashy but he was necessity to have in the XI to make sure the balance of the squad was there at all times. He proved to be a strong signing after leaving Newcastle.
3. Gini Wijnaldum - £23 million initial fee in summer of 2016
Gini made the move from Newcastle to Liverpool after the Magpies were relegated from the Premier League.
He scored 11 goals from the midfield for Newcastle but it was not enough to help them stave off an embarrassing moment in the club's history.
The Dutchman wasted little time becoming a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp's midfield as his high stamina and top class box-to-box abilities made him a crucial cog in the machine. He could control the tempo of a match from deep in the midfield, or had no problem pushing forward to get the Reds moving.
He was also available which is a huge boost for a midfielder. This consistency allowed him to gain more trust and his Liverpool career ultimately culminated in that match against Barcelona.
Wijnaldum came off the bench to score the two most important goals of his career in the miraculous Champions League semifinal turnaround at Anfield.
He won four trophies with Liverpool, but they were some big ones, the aforementioned Champions League, the Premier League, the Club World Cup and a Super Cup. He more than repaid the cost for his transfer fee.
2. Peter Beardsley - £1.9 million in summer of 1987
Probably one of the most technically gifted players to make the move from Tyneside to Merseyside, Beardsley left a lasting impact at both clubs, which is a testament to the kind of player he was.
He would have thrived in today's game with so much space to operate and he was absolutely a player before his time.
His 59 goals for the Reds do not tell the whole story as he was a creative outlet week-in and week-out and he brought another dimension to the Liverpool attack.
His talents were so respected within the game that Liverpool handpicked Beardsley to replace the iconic Ian Rush who had made the move to Juventus. In addition, his transfer fee was a then-British record.
He formed an almighty attacking trio with John Barnes and John Aldridge. While he might have been even more impactful for Newcastle during his career, he is still one of the best to make the move to Liverpool.
1. Alan Kennedy - £330,000 in the summer of 1978
He is still arguably the greatest left-back in club history and probably will be in the conversation for a very long time. He made the idea of an attacking fullback a popular idea as he evolved the position into a new age.
Kennedy scored some very crucial goals during his Liverpool career including in the 1981 European Cup final as well as his memorable spot-kick in Rome '84.
Joining the Reds from Newcastle just before the 1978/79 season, Kennedy, then still a youngster, would prove to be an essential piece of the dynastic Liverpool teams in the 80's.
He also scored a goal against Manchester United in the 1983 League Cup final as he continuously proved he had the clutch gene that most players only dream of having. For him to be a fullback with that gene made it all the better.
His electric pace and strong work ethic allowed him to bomb forward without fear as he could recover defensively as needed or torment slower defenders.
He and Phil Neal formed one of the most memorable Liverpool fullback duos in club history. Robbo-Trent could be the modern day version of them actually.
At the end of the day, he won 11 trophies at Liverpool while scoring some of the most vital goals a player could dream of. His overall package of longevity, skills and tangible results means he is the best Newcastle to Liverpool transfer of all time.
Will Isak be the next in an impressive line of talent to swap Newcastle for Liverpool?