Man City and Liverpool FC fans have to accept uncomfortable truth

The toxic nature of the rivalry that grew between Manchester City and Liverpool in recent years was nearly summer up in the 2022/23 season.

The clubs released a joint statement ahead of a Carabao Cup meeting at the Etihad in December 2022 calling for 'the right environment for our matches' after boiling point had been reached at Anfield in October when some City fans were involved in tragedy chanting and the visiting team bus was attacked (again) as it left the ground. Days after the statement, a teenage City fan was left bloodied after being hit by a plastic pint glass weighted with coins and launched down into the home end.

Even if these incidents were a 'minority' of fans, it certainly had maximum effect of showing the extreme side of the dislike between the two rivals that went up to boardroom level. The two clubs went about winning in very different ways and were chiefly responsible for the other not winning as much as they could have done, which only amplified the division.

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Tensions have eased in the last few years with Arsenal becoming City's biggest threat in the Premier League and Jurgen Klopp's departure may allow Arne Slot to draw another line under what has come before. The joint protest between City and Liverpool fans before Sunday's fixture at Anfield should also remind both sets of supporters of the uncomfortable truth behind the clubs they love.

Through their rivalry, there has actually been plenty of similarities for City and Liverpool fans in terms of their experiences in recent years. Both had the 24-hour shock of their clubs signing up to the ill-fated Super League, and the similarities have not stopped there.

UEFA showed little regard for Liverpool fans in the 2022 Champions League final and, while avoiding another scandal, did not appear to have learnt their lessons when City fans arrived in Istanbul for the 2023 showcase. Television broadcasters think more of their own pockets than the thoughts of supporters when they routinely schedule difficult trips for fans in the name of audience.

There is also growing evidence of the two clubs - despite outward projection - thinking along the same lines that saw them join causes for the Super League. Both are dealing with issues around how the distribution of tickets in an expanded stand will affect or is affecting atmosphere, both increased season ticket prices for this season and while City relented on a plan to charge disabled fans for parking in the face of supporter opposition there is a clear direction of travel.

Whatever virtues the Liverpool and City hierarchies like to project about the different ways in which they treat their own fans and go about their business, their pursuit of money has seen them leaving loyal supporters feel exploited. That's why these protests are happening; as their statement says: 'Football does not have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem – and loyal supporters should not bear the cost'.

“There’s been increasing animosity between City and Liverpool fans in recent years due to the rivalry on the pitch, so we’re incredibly proud to stand together on this important issue," said Nick Clarke of MCFC Fans Foodbank Support. "Tribalism holds football fans back from addressing the real threats to the game we built - working-class fans are being priced out before our eyes. We can reverse this trend.”

The foodbank group was started in 2020 with help from Liverpool fans so solidarity between the fanbases is nothing new, but the tribalism has always captured more headlines. So too with the Manchester and Merseyside derbies, yet United and Everton fans will also protest together on Sunday at Old Trafford

Clubs have taken advantage of these divisions in recent years to pursue the same goal of making more money. Whatever separates City and Liverpool after the match, it will help all supporters if their biggest contribution is one of unity.