Right ...Tin hat on....
As I have posted previously I think Liverpool have alot to be proud of, but also alot to be ashamed of and so I do get the hostility from many on here. To some extent I admire it as it shows a passion for your own club, something that the game is built on and is sadly missing a little from the games we have seen since restart.
So it was Kent's comment that got me thinking about "hatred" and rivalries and whether they change. Growing up on the Wirral I tended to follow the results of all the local clubs, Chester, Tranmere, Liverpool and Everton, wanting them all to do well. Then after starting to go to matches with my dad who had a season ticket at Anfield I became more narrow in my support, but my dislike for your neighbours increased. I wouldnt say it got to the level of hatred. The dislike and the rivalry...and yes jealousy only grew during their succes and our fallow years. During that time there was the success of Arsenal , Chelsea and now City. I dont think I ever really disliked any of them or begrudged them their success. Maybe Chelsea a little with their less than exciting football...... Arsenal (maybe not as much with the 1-0 to the Arsenal phase) & City were/are a joy to watch and I dont think many can dislike or hold a grudge when you see good football played.
Yes the recent incidents (bus/hacking/letters) will shape and no doubt remain the memories of many, but I wonder if Liverpools win last season was a once in 30yr thing and we go back to being mediocre, whether the dislike/hatred will remain. Or will we go back to being that "unpleasant memory"?
Do those local or "tradional" rivalries/hatreds change with success or the rise of other clubs?
Just me pondering again.