Real Madrid Vs Liverpool: Why I want Liverpool to win despite being an arch-rival to my beloved Manchester United

All over my timeline on twitter, where I follow loads of Manchester United fans, the mantra there is 'Real Madrid must win; because Liverpool are our arch-rival'. And the history of this two clubs in England actually buttresses the point this particular set of Manchester United fans are trying to make.



Liverpool, founded in the year 1892, have won 18 league titles, 7 FA Cup titles, 8 Football League Cups and 5 UEFA Champions League titles. On the other hand, Manchester United, originally founded in 1878 as Newton Health LYR FC, was later renamed Manchester United FC in 1902. And the club have won 20 league titles,  12 FA Cup titles, 5 Football League Cups and 3 UEFA Champions League titles. If you look closely at the number of trophies listed, you'd notice I left out other peripheral trophies this two clubs have won.

Manchester United, however, edges Liverpool by a trophy - when you count the total number of major trophies won by both clubs.

Liverpool were England's most successful club with 41 major trophies until Manchester United equaled the record with their EFL Cup triumph over Southampton in 2017, before surpassing their rival later that year, with their Europa League victory over Ajax. So, it stands: Liverpool - 41, Manchester United - 42. Now, it becomes clearer why a lot of Manchester United fan base would rather prefer Madrid win the UCL for the third time in a row on Saturday (something that has never happened in history).

But, Liverpool weren't the ones that knocked Manchester United out of the UCL the last time I checked. Rather, it was José Mourinho's negative approach to the games against Sevilla in the Round of 16 that cost Manchester United. With the second leg of that game one of the plenty Manchester United's awful showings this season.

In fact, comparing games between Manchester United and Liverpool this season, Jose Mourinho's men actually came out on top, notching 4 points from the available 6 points when both sides locked horns in the Premier League. Meaning, Liverpool have been a friendlier opponent to Manchester United this season than relegated West Brom. That on it's own points to the fact that Manchester United have been their own undoing this season.

Watching Manchester United play in the just concluded season, often come as something strenuous; and in most cases time wasting. As their football have been a total mess. Really displeasing to the eyes. While, Liverpool have really given their fans and neutrals the antonym of boredom.

This is a Liverpool side that sold one of their best players in January, if not the best at the time, in the person of Coutinho. Yet, they have gone on to reach the final of the UCL, in a phenomenal fashion.

A closer look at the squad of both Liverpool and Real Madrid actually pits the game in a 'David vs Goliath' layout. With Real Madrid obviously the Goliath, and Liverpool the David. And for everyone familiar with story in the bible, David and not Goliath drew most of the affections (even before David's victory).

Similarly, Liverpool will draw the affection of many football lovers across the globe heading into Saturday's final (save for the Madrid fans and a larger section of the Manchester United fans). While victory for Madrid might also mean victory for Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Balon d' Or accolade, it will only be his fifth UCL title as a player, and Zinedine Zidane's fifth as a player and manager of Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, victory for Liverpool on Saturday will be Jurgen Klopp's first, and also the first time any player in this Liverpool team would be winning such title.

Being African also, I will be happy to see the likes of Sadio Mane of Senegal and Mohamed Salah of Egypt win this title on Saturday. On the other hand, only Achraf Hakimi of Morocco is African in the Real Madrid squad and he has won it already last season.

Only fair to support Liverpool here.

Regardless of the club I will be supporting tomorrow, I will love to see a highly entertaining final - full of goals. And may the best team on the night win!

But, if I really want to do rivalry on the night being a Manchester United fan, I'd rather support a Liverpool side that will be hunting for only their sixth (6th) UCL title over a Real Madrid side that will be gunning for their thirteenth (13th) UCL title, also coming in for them as their third in a row. The latter feat, and not the former is more herculean to equal before talking about surpassing.



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