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Sergio Aguero may be a Manchester City legend, but the striker has consistently demonstrated his admiration for Liverpool.
As City and Liverpool prepare for Sunday's Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium, the Argentine icon could find himself conflicted over which side to support. Aguero's professional career started in his native Argentina, where he turned out for Club Atletico Independiente and netted 23 goals while still in his teens. His remarkable displays attracted interest from Europe's elite clubs, with Bayern Munich pursuing the 17-year-old prospect.
In 2005, Sky Sports documented Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's suggestion that the highly-regarded youngster could be heading to the Bundesliga.
Yet Aguero revealed his desire for a transfer to Merseyside during an interview with Munich's 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."
During that period, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had already explored the Argentine transfer market by securing defender Gabriel Paletta from Banfield and might have been attracted by Aguero's potential. However, the talented forward ultimately joined Atletico Madrid 12 months later.
It was at Atletico where Aguero made his mark on European soccer, recording 101 goals and 47 assists in 234 appearances for the Spanish club. His impressive return included 20 goal contributions across the Europa League and Champions League, which caught the eye of City manager Roberto Mancini.
In 2011, Aguero completed his move to the Premier League, joining the blue half of Manchester. What followed was the stuff of legend, as the Argentine striker became an icon in England, amassing 260 goals and 65 assists over 390 appearances.
Under the management of Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, and Pep Guardiola, the striker won a host of major honors. His trophy haul included five Premier League titles, six League Cups, three Community Shields, and one FA Cup.
Yet, despite hanging up his boots in 2021, Aguero has been open about his childhood affection for City's Merseyside rivals.
In conversation with Stake in 2023, Aguero revealed: "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 asked if he could have signed for the Reds earlier in his career, Aguero responded: "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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