Sergio Aguero is a Manchester City legend but he has never hidden his love for their Premier League rivals, Liverpool
Sergio Aguero of Man City celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at the Etihad Stadium on January 3, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Sergio Aguero still has a soft spot for Liverpool to this day(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
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Sergio Aguero may be a Manchester City legend, but he has never shied away from expressing his fondness for their Premier League rivals, Liverpool. As the two sides prepare to face off at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, the Argentine star might be torn over who to back.
Aguero's football journey began in his homeland, where he played for Club Atletico Independiente and scored 23 goals as a teenager. His impressive performance caught the attention of top European clubs, with Bayern Munich showing interest in the then-17-year-old.
In 2005, Sky Sports reported that Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had hinted at bringing the highly-rated youngster to the Bundesliga. However, Aguero expressed his preference for a move to Merseyside in an interview with the Munich TZ newspaper.
He said: "If I had to choose a league then it would be the Premier League. I have been a Liverpool fan for as long as I can remember and it would be a dream to play there. I watched the Champions League final and celebrated every goal as if it was for Independiente."
At the time, then-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had tapped into the Argentine market to sign defender Gabriel Paletta from Banfield and may have been tempted by Aguero. Instead, the young forward made a move to Atletico Madrid a year later in a deal worth £20million.
This is where Aguero arrived on the European scene, netting 101 goals and providing 47 assists across 234 outings for the Spanish side. This tally featured 20 goal contributions in both the Europa League and Champions League combined, which captured the attention of City boss Roberto Mancini.
Aguero secured his Premier League switch in 2011, joining the blue half of Manchester in a £35m deal. The rest became history, as the Argentine forward transformed into a legend in England's top division, scoring 260 goals and producing 65 assists during 390 matches.
Sergio Aguero of Manchester City smiles next to the Premier League Trophy during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on May 23, 2021 in Manchester, England.
The Argentinian won plenty of silverware with City
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The forward claimed numerous trophies under Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola. These accolades featured five Premier League crowns, six League Cups, three Community Shields and one FA Cup.
However, even following his retirement from football in 2021, Aguero has remained candid about his admiration for City's rivals during his youth.
Speaking to Stake in 2023, Aguero said: "I used to like Liverpool when I was younger because of Owen, who had also started as a teenager. Even when I was playing on my Playstation, I tried to play like Owen!
"In my 10 years at City, we've had amazing games with Liverpool. Even more so lately, fighting for the Premier League head to head. I've scored some important goals, but never got to score at Anfield, though."
When questioned whether he might have joined the Reds earlier in his playing days, Aguero added: "I wouldn't know, really. I've read that they didn't go out for an offer because I was very young and it seemed like a risky bet for the transfer cost."
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