The Peoples' Champions

This Sunday Liverpool took one significant step closer to becoming Premier League Champions for the first time in almost a quarter of a century.  The media are dubbing them everyone's second favourite team and it seems it may not just be because of their on field prowess.

There is no doubt that their attractive way of playing football has won them a number of fans throughout the season.  When Brendan Rodgers said that Liverpool were "building something here", he was talking of not only a team but an ethos.  A way of playing and acting that runs through every player and staff so that they can all come together over one common goal;  To rebuild Liverpool into the giant it was back in the glory days of the 70s and 80s.

Liverpool never completely faded away from the scene and have still managed to achieve success in the decades since their last championship title.  They have won a number of domestic cups, European titles and most notably the Champions League but the elusive Premier League title is the one they want the most. When they beat Manchester City on Sunday, the title could be said to now be within touching distance.

And that is the other reason we may be seeing a real hope by nuetrals to see the Anfield side win the league.  For years now the fans of British football have watch the influx of more and more foreign money flood into the game.  None more so than from the owners of Chelsea and Manchester City, the two teams vying with Liverpool for the title on the final run in.

Many feel that City and Chelsea have bought their recent success.  There is no doubt a bottomless pit of money can help to attract the cream of the crop from around the world but many see the carefully constructed Reds as the ones to show that success can still be build on strong ideals and sound tactics.

This could be exactly what the game needs.  A new force to break the dominance of the billionaires' club.  For years Arsenal have tried but fallen away and Manchester United's grip seems to have firmly loosened after the departure of Sir Alex.  Liverpool have a tradition of winning but in the current climate but could a win this year or even last Sunday be the most significant win of all?

Andrew Paterson