The Derby Game: A History of Local Rivalries

SkySports pundit Gary Neville for the season to be scrapped, Liverpool lifted their first Premier League title in 2020, albeit at an empty Anfield. The book is highly accessible and enjoyable to read, made more so by Williams’ humour and insider knowledge of the club’s culture and the locality, although supporters of other clubs will find it harder to digest than this reviewer, a fellow Liverpool FC fan. However, this is not to take anything away from what is a very important academic study which deserves the widest readership. At the time of writing, in January 2022, the team looks burnedout from last season’s exertions, while the failure to add greatly to their squad during this month’s transfer window means that Klopp must again work his magic (should he decide to stay on) if he is to again transform the squad into ‘mentality monsters’. FSG’s misjudgement over the proposed European Super League has also raised question marks over their future. The recent emergence of a more affluent Newcastle United and the apparent revival of Arsenal and Manchester United mean that the search for a twentieth league title will remain highly competitive.