English Clubs

With Sunday's clash between the red halves of Liverpool and Manchester approaching, The18 takes a look at the players fans just love to hate.

The18's Mike Smith analyzes the top 5 storylines that have emerged following an epic draw.

If there is one thing that has never been in short supply in the life of Mario Balotelli, it’s haters. The combination of his large personality, perceived arrogance, and talent level means that he is just as likely to piss off an entire stadium as he is to bring it to its feet in celebration. The fact that he lives in the first “hater generation,” as rapper Wale so eloquently put it, doesn’t help. Social media is nothing if not a bastion for ignorant hatred, and of all the celebrities who operate in the space Balotelli probably receives the worst of it.

Memphis Depay is the next great talent to emerge from the Dutch Eredivisie, following in the footsteps of Robben, van Persie and Sneijder. Now Man United and Liverpool are fighting over him.

Wayne Rooney is just like you and I…If you and I were drunk fraternity brothers with boxing gloves and too much time on our hands.

Lionel Messi may be the best player in the world, but when it comes to shooting, Ronaldo has him beat in spades.

Louis van Gaal needs to nurture United's record signing off the pitch, and unleash him on it. Otherwise, Di Maria may not be at Old Trafford next season, nor will Champions League football.

Nemanja Matic just wanted to celebrate with the boys, and the soccer gods duly punished him for his insolence.

Suarez, Gerrard, Alonso, and co. squaring off against Henry, Drogba, and Terry. Legends reunited, and we all will get to watch.