You must have noticed it, especially if you live outside Liverpool. Its impossible not to. Every football supporter you know who doesnt have his own dog in the race wants the Reds to win the Title. This isnt just a slight preference either. It can come with a zeal which is strange in a world where allegiance to the crest demands you speak cautiously or grudgingly before offering a compliment to someone elses colours. But thats what is happening. The neutrals want Liverpool to win. Not the referees as the demented Mourinho is now saying but the fans.
A lot of you will already be saying who cares? Football is so tribal that, in truth, its often gratifying to be feared, envied and even hated. I certainly look forward to the day when people are pig-sick of us lifting yet another trophy in yet another one-horse title race or predictably one-sided cup final. But in the meantime I like the acclaim. We deserve it too.
For, lets be honest, theres another side to being a footy supporter (were complex, subtle and multi-dimensional figures, us fans!) that warms to third-party appreciation. Ill never forget in 1994 overhearing a group of Geordies on a train leaving Lime Street soon after theyd seen the standing Kop for the last time. They were marvelling to each other about that final Youll Never Walk Alone when, in response to the away supporters chant, wed hoisted the flags and scarves a few minutes before the end and given them a last, cherished, memory of the anthem. These Geordies had loved it and Id loved hearing them. I recall, too, a good friend, a Man United fan since boyhood, telling me after wed watched Johnny Barnes tearing his team apart at Old Trafford in 1990, that our man was better than Best. The same feeling tribute was being paid and it was nice to receive it.
We like that dont we? The sincere, freely-given compliment, the tone of affection, respect or awe when your club is mentioned. Imagine if you were a Chelsea fan. Youd never hear it. Thats why I like it right now, in this month of April, when yet another mate takes the claret and blue or lilywhite scales from his eyes, forgets the spite and drops the sarcasm for a moment, and says Christ, I really hope Liverpool do it. The neutrals are now on our side folks and theres nothing we can do about it....
Show me a mate you know who likes football and doesnt want to see Gerrard get his medal? Ill show you someone who doesnt love life enough!