Welcome to football in 2016.
Jose Mourinho returning to a bigger, better, nosier Anfield and as Manchester United manager. As the Happy Monday’s bellowed, ‘Call the cops!’
We were primed for a visceral, vibrant game of Monday night football between England’s two most successful clubs [it ended 0-0].
We were also waiting to see what kind of reception Mourinho, in his new guise as United boss but still public enemy No.1, got from the Liverpool crowd.
As the Portuguese made his way to the United dug-out, the welcome he received was less than hostile. It was… odd.
Fans got their phones out and started clicking. One to keep. One to share with mates on social media.
Not an ‘F’, ‘W’ or ‘D’ bomb in the house.
Liverpool fans
"Anfield is intimidating"
"Old Trafford is full of tourists
Reality…. pic.twitter.com/uUYRW7nqmY
— 🔰 Totally Man Utd™ 🔰 (@TotallyMUFC) October 17, 2016
The image spread like viral wildfire on social media and came on Gary Neville’s radar.
He could not resist sharing it with his own twist.
Welcome to Anfield pic.twitter.com/cKgK6uNABE
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) October 18, 2016
After one Twitter follower accused Neville of being “bitter”, he explained that he was not having a go at Liverpool fans, rather the snap and share culture of modern football supporters.
It wasn't a dig at Liverpool actually. Its scary for all football . @premierleague @FA https://t.co/ZGSm3ioc5O
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) October 18, 2016
Indeed, there are lots of examples of phones being whipped out at all times during matches and one user shared this image from the Manchester City vs. Everton game at the weekend.
@MysticMO11 Aguero penalty on Saturday Gary, embarrassing pic.twitter.com/cRCk9WScUE
— Joe (@Joe_Doire) October 18, 2016
But, while some may lament this recent wave of enjoying life through the medium of camera-phone, two City fans in that picture have given us hope.
A man lifting a little lad up so he could see Sergio Aguero’s penalty attempt. Simple. Loving. Beautiful.
Shame Aguero missed the bloody thing.
‘It’s not time to make a change
‘Just relax, take it easy
‘You’re still young, that’s your fault
‘There’s so much you have to know’
Cat Stevens saw it all coming.
Catch up with the latest episode of Football Friday Live:
