I never thought I’d say this, but I genuinely think Liverpool could have a lot of neutral supporters cheering them on this Sunday.
And you know what?
I completely understand it.
Liverpool against Manchester City at Anfield is normally a fixture where supporters of other clubs can sit back, enjoy the spectacle and hope both teams somehow lose.
But this time feels different.
Because Manchester City aren’t just arriving at Anfield as Liverpool’s biggest rivals in the title race.
They are arriving as the team that currently sits top of the Premier League, unbeaten after five matches, and at the centre of a financial controversy that has caused enormous anger across English football.
City have appealed the ruling and continue to deny wrongdoing, but the fallout has changed the atmosphere around the club and this fixture.
Many supporters now believe City have been found guilty of cheating, and that is why so many football fans will be hoping to see them lose.
And suddenly, I can imagine plenty of football fans thinking:
“Come on Liverpool.”
Even I’d want United to beat City
Here’s how I know things have changed.
If Manchester United were playing Manchester City on Sunday instead of Liverpool, I’d want Manchester United to win.
There.
I’ve said it.
And I’m not sure I’ve ever felt comfortable saying that before.
If United needed three points against City to stop them pulling away at the top of the table, I’d be cheering them on.
I’d probably need a shower afterwards.
But I’d still want it.
Because there are certain teams where your hatred of the opposition temporarily becomes stronger than your hatred of the team you’re supporting.
For me, Manchester City have reached that level.
And I suspect I’m not alone.
This isn’t really about Liverpool
That’s the funny thing.
Liverpool supporters obviously want Liverpool to win because we want the three points.
We want to beat City.
We want the bragging rights.
We want to see Iraola’s team make a statement.
And after Liverpool’s unbeaten start, a victory over the league leaders would be a huge moment for this new Liverpool side.
But for supporters of other clubs, there is another reason to want Liverpool to win.
They simply don’t want City winning.
That feeling has become even stronger because City have been found guilty of cheating, according to the ruling that has sparked such widespread controversy. Their appeal and continued denials mean the matter is not finished, but many fans have already made up their minds.
They believe City gained an unfair advantage and should now be punished for it.
That’s football.
Rivalries are complicated.
You can dislike Liverpool but still find yourself cheering for them when they’re playing a team you dislike even more.
I know I’d do exactly the same.
If United were playing City and a United victory helped prevent City from winning another Premier League title, I’d be absolutely delighted.
I’d probably refuse to admit it publicly.
But I’d be delighted.
City are still the team to beat
And that’s why Sunday’s game is so important.
City have started the season perfectly, taking 15 points from their opening five league matches and sitting at the top of the table. They are also chasing a sixth consecutive top-flight victory when they arrive at Anfield.
Liverpool, meanwhile, remain unbeaten and have already shown signs that Iraola is building something.
The Reds beat Bournemouth 1-0 in their last league game before the international break, while City put five past Sunderland in a crazy 5-3 victory.
So this isn’t simply another early-season fixture.
It’s Liverpool trying to close the gap on the leaders.
It’s City trying to maintain their perfect start.
And it’s the first meeting between the clubs since the latest developments in City’s financial case.
That’s quite a backdrop for a Sunday afternoon at Anfield.
I think neutrals will be watching Liverpool closely
There’s something else I find interesting.
Liverpool haven’t exactly been everybody’s favourite club over the years.
Let’s be honest.
We know that.
But City have spent years dominating English football, winning titles and becoming the team that everybody else has had to chase.
Liverpool have been one of the few clubs capable of consistently pushing them.
Those incredible title races under Jürgen Klopp showed just how difficult it was to compete with Guardiola’s City.
Liverpool finished with 97 points in 2018/19 and still didn’t win the league.
Then they collected 92 points in 2021/22 and again finished second.
That’s how ridiculous the standards became.
So perhaps there is something appealing to neutral supporters about seeing Liverpool put another dent in City’s dominance.
Even if they don’t particularly like Liverpool.
And now, because City have been found guilty of cheating, there is an even stronger sense among rival supporters that they want to see the club lose.
They don’t want City rewarded with another title.
They don’t want City’s dominance to continue.
And they certainly don’t want a club found guilty of financial wrongdoing to keep collecting trophies as if nothing happened.
And then there’s Anfield
I can’t wait to see the atmosphere.
The match is confirmed for 4.30pm on Sunday, October 11, with City travelling to Anfield.
Liverpool supporters are going to be fired up.
The City players know exactly what is coming.
And after everything that has happened around the financial ruling, this could be one of the most hostile atmospheres City have faced at Anfield.
Gary Neville has already predicted a particularly difficult reception, while reports have suggested the match could have a feeling unlike an ordinary Premier League fixture.
And honestly?
Bring it on.
This is what football is supposed to feel like.
Big game.
Big rivalry.
Big atmosphere.
And now, potentially, a whole lot of neutrals quietly hoping Liverpool can do something to stop City.
Not simply because they support Liverpool.
Not because they suddenly admire the club.
But because they want to see Manchester City lose after being found guilty of cheating.
I don’t actually care who is cheering
That’s the other thing.
Liverpool don’t need neutral supporters.
They don’t need Manchester United fans singing our songs.
They don’t need Arsenal supporters suddenly pretending they love Liverpool.
They don’t need anybody else.
We just need our own supporters behind the team.
Because ultimately, this isn’t about what Manchester United fans think.
It isn’t about Arsenal.
It isn’t about Chelsea.
It isn’t about Tottenham.
It’s Liverpool against Manchester City.
And I know exactly which side I want to win.
Liverpool.
Every single time.
But if United were playing City instead?
I’d be cheering United.
And that’s when you know just how much people want to see Manchester City beaten.
They want City to lose because they believe the club cheated.
They want City to lose because they are tired of watching them dominate English football.
They want City to lose because they don’t believe a team found guilty of financial wrongdoing should continue winning trophies without serious consequences.
So will every football fan be wanting Liverpool to win on Sunday?
Probably not.
But I reckon there will be an awful lot more people shouting “Come on Liverpool!” than we’d normally expect.
And for once, I’m perfectly happy to accept their support.
Just don’t expect me to return the favour next weekend.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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